DEFENCE

• 4th edition of joint military exercisebetween India and Japan.
• Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) Ships made port call at Kochi.
• 4th edition of joint military exercise between the Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army.
• Indian Naval Ship to participate in NAVDEX 23 and IDEX 23 in UAE.
• Operation Dost.
• Raksha Mantri telephonic conversation with UK Secretary of State for Defence to discusses ways to enhance defence industrial cooperation.
• IFC-IOR signed a MoU on 21 Feb 2023 with Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC), Seychelles.
• 26th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs.
• 7th Annual Defence Dialogue between India and Sri Lanka was held in New Delhi.
• Indian Air Force participating in Exercise Desert Flag VIII in UAE.
• Indian Air Force contingent participating in Exercise Cobra Warrior with the Royal Air Force in United Kingdom.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Afghanistan

• Taliban “disapproved” Russia’s terror charges against Afghanistan.

Pakistan

• Security forces foiled an attack in Baluchistan and eliminated eight terrorists.
• CTD killed six TTP terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

• Govt of India bans JKGF as a terrorist group under the UA (P) Act.
• Police arrested three HM terrorists from Kulgam.

Left-Wing Extremism

• Two policemen attained Veergati in a Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh.
• Police arrested two Maoists, involved in several incidents, from Hyderabad.

Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)

• NIA Special Court, Delhi, convicted a terrorist in the espionage case.
• NIA Special Court, Rajasthan, convicted a terrorist in the “IS Jaipur” case.

Khalistan-inspired Extremism

• “Cannot stop movement,” said pro-Khalistan propagator Amritpal Singh.
• NIA busted the Khalistan-gangster network and arrested six people across the eight States.
• Govt of India banned KTF as a terrorist organisation under the UA (P) Act.

DEFENCE

4th edition of joint military exercise between India and Japan.

The 4th edition of joint military exercise, “EX DHARMA GUARDIAN”, between India and Japan is being conducted at Camp Imazu in Shiga province, Japan from 17 February to 02 March 2023. The scope of this exercise covers platoon level joint training on operations in jungle and semi urban/urban terrain. Troops of the Garhwal Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and an Infantry Regiment from the Middle Army of the Japan Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF) are participating in the exercise this year to share experiences gained during operations in order to enhance inter-operability in planning & execution.

The joint exercise will enable the two armies to share best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting tactical operations under a UN Mandate, in addition to developing inter-operability, bonhomie, camaraderie and friendship between the two armies.
For more information: Click here to read…

Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) Ships made port call at Kochi.

Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) Ships Uraga and Awaji made port call at Kochi from 14 -16 Feb 23. The ship’s crew visited professional training schools and ship of Southern Naval Command. During the visit, they were familiarised with various training facilities and activities undertaken at the Training Command of the Indian Navy. Presently, the ship is on her passage to Bahrain.
For more information: Click here to read…

4th edition of joint military exercise between the Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army.

The 4th edition of joint military exercise ‘DUSTLIK’ between the Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army commenced today in Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand). 45 Soldiers each from Uzbekistan and Indian Army are participating in this exercise which is aimed at promoting positive relations between both the armies. The Indian Army contingent comprises of troops from an Infantry Battalion from the Garhwal Rifles Regiment. The first edition of the exercise was held at Uzbekistan in November 2019. The 14 days long joint exercise would focus on joint counter-terrorist operations in mountainous and semi-urban scenario under UN mandate and will include field training exercises, combat discussions, lectures, demonstrations and culminate with a validation exercise.
For more information: Click here to read…

Indian Naval Ship to participate in NAVDEX 23 and IDEX 23 in UAE.

Indian Naval Ship Sumedha arrived at Abu Dhabi, UAE on 20 Feb 2023 to participate in NAVDEX 23 (Naval Defence Exhibition) and IDEX 23 (International Defence Exhibition), scheduled from 20 to 24 Feb 2023. The ship’s participation in two leading regional naval and defence exhibitions will showcase the strengths of India’s indigenous ship building.
For more information: Click here to read…

Operation Dost

The Indian disaster relief team, comprising 99 personnel of Indian Army Field Hospital and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) returned back on February 20 2023 after putting in a stupendous effort to provide medical relief to disaster victims in Hatya Province of Turkey hit by earthquake. The Indian Army Field Hospital has treated 3604 casualties, providing emergency medical care and performing 04 x major surgeries, 63 x minor surgeries, 343 minor procedures including 87 x POP applications for fixing fractures.

The Indian Army Field Hospital comprising of various Specialist Medical Officers and Paramedics, established their Hospital at Iskenderun, Hatay Province, Turkey on 08 Feb 2023, which included a fully functional OT and Trauma Care Centre. The Specialists include Medical Specialist, Surgical Specialists, Anaesthetists, Orthopaedicians, Maxillofacial Surgeon and Community Medicine Specialist for rendering medical assistance to earthquake victims. Beside this, a Lady Medical Officer has also been sent for rendering medical care to female patients/casualties. In addition, the Indian Army Field Hospital provided dental treatment to 242 patients, carrying out 283 precautionary X-rays on trauma victims. 14 x patients were admitted and 97 x patients detained and treated. 1159 Lab investigations were carried out on the cases reported for treatment. Replenishment to the Field Hospital has been provided by Indian Army in the form of Medical and Surgical bricks as well as Orthopaedic equipment.
For more information: Click here to read…

Raksha Mantri (RM) telephonic conversation with UK Secretary of State for Defence to discusses ways to enhance defence industrial cooperation.

The RM held a telephonic conversation with UK Secretary of State for Defence Mr Ben Wallace on February 21, 2023. The conversation was cordial, positive and focused on future growth of the bilateral defence relationship. Both Ministers discussed a wide range of defence and security issues, including regional developments and the Indo-Pacific.

The Ministers briefly reviewed their ongoing defence cooperation and expressed satisfaction at their bilateral military-to-military engagements. They also discussed ways to enhance defence industrial cooperation and identified a few potential areas of cooperation. The Raksha Mantri suggested that UK companies should become part of India’s growth story and participate in co-development and co-production in India.
Reference: Click here to read…

IFC-IOR signed a MoU on 21 Feb 2023 with Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC), Seychelles.

In order to further the existing cooperation in the realm of maritime safety and security, IFC-IOR signed a MoU on 21 Feb 2023 with Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC), Seychelles. The MoU signed aims to promote collaboration between the two Centres towards enhancing maritime domain awareness, information sharing and expertise development.
For more information: Click here to read…

26th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs.

The 26th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held on 22 February 2023 in person in Beijing. This was the first WMCC meeting since the 14th meeting held in July 2019, to be held in person. Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs led the Indian delegation. The Chinese delegation was led by Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of India-China border areas and discussed proposals for disengagement in the remaining areas in an open and constructive manner, which would help in restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC in Western Sector and create conditions for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations. To achieve this objective in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols, they agreed to hold the next (18th) round of the Senior Commanders meeting at an early date. The two sides agreed to continue discussions through military and diplomatic channels.
For more information:
Click here to read…s

7th Annual Defence Dialogue between India and Sri Lanka was held in New Delhi.

7th Annual Defence Dialogue between India and Sri Lanka was held in New Delhi on February 23, 2023. It was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and his Sri Lankan counterpart General Kamal Gunaratne. During the meeting, the ongoing defence cooperation activities between the two countries were reviewed, with both sides agreeing to increase the complexity of bilateral exercises. In the context of training, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to avail maximum benefits from each other’s experience and capacities.
For more information: Click here to read…

Indian Air Force participating in Exercise Desert Flag VIII in UAE.

An Indian Air Force contingent comprising of 110 Air Warriors has arrived at Al Dhafra airbase of United Arab Emirates for participating in Exercise Desert Flag VIII. The IAF would be participating with five LCA Tejas and two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. This is the first occasion when the LCA Tejas shall participate in an international flying exercise outside India.
Exercise Desert Flag is a multilateral air exercise in which Air Forces from UAE, France, Kuwait, Australia, UK, Bahrain, Morocco, Spain, Republic of Korea, and USA would also be participating. The exercise is scheduled from 27 Feb 23 to 17 Mar 23. The aim of the exercise is to participate in diverse fighter engagements and learn from the best practices of various Air Forces.
Reference: Click here to read…

Indian Air Force contingent participating in Exercise Cobra Warrior with the Royal Air Force in United Kingdom.

An Indian Air Force contingent comprising 145 Air Warriors departed Air Force Station Jamnagar today for participating in Exercise Cobra Warrior at the Waddington Air Force Base of the Royal Air Force in United Kingdom. The exercise is scheduled from 06 Mar 23 to 24 Mar 23.

The Exercise Cobra Warrior is a multilateral Air exercise in which Air Forces from Finland, Sweden, South Africa, United States of America and Singapore would also be participating alongside Royal Air Force and IAF. The IAF is participating in the exercise this year with five Mirage 2000 fighters, two C-17 Globemaster III and an IL-78 mid-air refueller aircraft. The aim of the exercise is to participate in diverse fighter aircraft engagements and learn from the best practices of various Air Forces.
For more information: Click here to read…

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Afghanistan

Taliban “disapproved” Russia’s terror charges against Afghanistan.

On 15 February 2023, Taliban’s Foreign Minister (FM)— Amir Khan Muttaqi questioned Russia’s ‘baseless’ allegations that thousands of Islamic State (IS) terrorists have gathered in northern Afghanistan and threatening the stability of the Central Asian Region (CAR). In a televised speech in Kabul, Taliban’s FM Muttaqi said, “How come thousands of such people (referring to IS) are concentrated in one place and still no one can see them or is aware of them? Everyone is welcome here, see the situation with their own eyes and discuss with us if they have any concerns to share. But levelling baseless allegations to malign and add to the sufferings of this nation reeling from decades of war must come to an end.”

Taliban’s response to the statement made by Russia’s Chief of the Joint Staff of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO)— Colonel General Anatoly Sidorov, regarding extremist groups gaining a foothold in Afghanistan, turning to be the biggest threat to stability in the region. “Wilayat Khurasan or Islamic State-Khurasan Province (IS-KP) is the Afghan branch of the IS and has some 6,500 strength— up to 4,000 of whom are gathered in the [Afghan] provinces of Badakhshan, Kunduz, and Takhar along Tajikistan’s southern border,” Russia’s official media quoted Sidorov.
For more information: Click here to read…

Pakistan

Security forces foiled an attack in Baluchistan and eliminated eight terrorists.

Pakistan’s security forces, on 22 February 2023, eliminated eight terrorists and foiled an attack on a security forces’ convoy in Kech in Baluchistan. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the alerted troops foiled the attack without losing soldiers’ life and also hunted fleeting terrorists using ground and aviation resources. On 23 February, security forces identified a suspected hideout of terrorists in Mazaaband range and launched a counter-terrorism (CT) operation. In a gun-battle with terrorists, security forces eliminated eight terrorists and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition.
For more information: Click here to read…

CTD killed six TTP terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

On 23 February 2023, the counter-terrorism department (CTD) killed six Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists in a joint operation with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Lakki Marwat police. According to the statement released by Lakki Marwat police, intelligence inputs revealed that terrorists were planning to attack the Abbas police check post, which led to a gun-battle. In the gun battle with terrorists, security forces eliminated six TTP terrorists.
For more information: Click here to read…

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

Govt of India bans JKGF as a terrorist group under the UA (P) Act.

On 17 February 2023, the Govt of India (GoI) proscribed Jammu and Kashmir Ghaznavi Force (JKGF) as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA (P)A]. “JKGF has been found involved in infiltration attempts, drug-weapon trafficking, and carrying out terror attacks in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The JKGF operatives are drawn from other Islamic terrorist organisations such as, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TuM), Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami (HuJI)”, read the statement released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). With this declaration, there are 44 terrorist organisations under the I Schedule of the Act.
For more information: Click here to read…

Police arrested three HM terrorists from Kulgam.

In a joint operation on 17 February 2023, police forces from PS Hatipora and PS Behibagh arrested three Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorists from Kulgam district in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Acting on specific inputs, the joint team operated and established a Naka at Dadekoot in Alamganj crossing. Upon the arrival at the Naka, police teams arrested all three terrorists and recovered a pistol, two pistol magazines, and 13 live pistol rounds from their possession.
For more information: Click here to read…

Left-Wing Extremism

Two policemen attained Veergati in a Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh.

On 20 February 2023, Maoists attacked and killed two Chhattisgarh Armed Forces (CAF) policemen in Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh. The incident took place within the limits of Bortalab police station near the Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra border.
For more information: Click here to read…

Police arrested two Maoists, involved in several incidents, from Hyderabad.

On 20 February 2023, Gadchiroli police arrested two Maoists— Madhukar Chinanna Kodape and his wife— Jamani Mangalu Punam, involved in various violent activities, from Hyderabad. The duo, reportedly left the CPI (Maoist) cadre in 2006 and, since then been evading arrest.
For more information: Click here to read…

Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)

NIA Special Court, Delhi, convicted a terrorist in an espionage case.

On 23 February 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court, Delhi, convicted Mohammad Parvez under Sections 120B, 420, 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA (P)A].

The case— RC-21/2017/NIA/DLI pertains to the conspiracy hatched by foreign intelligence agencies to obtain information from defence personnel posted in sensitive border areas of Bharat.
For more information: Click here to read…

NIA Special Court, Rajasthan, convicted a terrorist in “IS Jaipur” case.
On 20 February 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court, Rajasthan, convicted Mohammed Sirajuddin under Sections 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 13, 38, and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A] for 07 years of Rigorous Imprisonment with fine.

The case— RC-5/2016/NIA/DLI pertains to disseminating Islamic State (IS) ideology and luring others over social media platforms to join the proscribed terror organisation for carrying out terror activities in Bharat.
For more information: Click here to read…

Khalistan-inspired Extremism

“Cannot stop movement,” said pro-Khalistan propagator Amritpal Singh.

On 20 February 2023, the self-styled pro-Khalistan propagator Amritpal Singh said that the “Khalistan movement could not be stopped from flourishing and if Home Minister desired to stop it, let him fulfil his desire.” Earlier, in a TV interview, Home Minister Amit Shah remarked that a close watch was being maintained on Khalistan activities and that the Government of India would not let it flourish.

Amritpal Singh also lead a group— “Waris Panjab De”- set up by late actor-activist—Deep Sidhu. Deep Sidhu died in a road accident in February 2022. On several platforms, Amritpal Singh has been advocating secession and separatism, along with the establishment of Khalistan. Click here to read…

NIA busted Khalistan-gangster network and arrested six people across the eight States.

In nationwide search operations, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) busted Khalistan-gangster network and arrested six people, including associates of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, and Goldy Brar. The raids were carried out in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Delhi/National Capital Region (NCR), Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh (MP).

One of the associates— Khokhar was arrested from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. He was in direct contact with Arsh Dala in Canada, looked after the recruitment, and received funds from him for carrying out terror-related activities. The NIA investigations have so far revealed that many criminals, who were leading gangsters in Bharat, had fled to countries like Pakistan, Canada, Malaysia, Philippines and Australia and were planning their terror and criminal acts from there, in association with criminals lodged in jails in different states. These gangs were carrying out targeted killings and earning cash for their nefarious activities through smuggling drugs, weapons, hawala and extortions.
For more information: Click here to read…

Govt of India banned KTF as a terrorist organisation under the UA (P) Act.

On 17 February 2023, the Government of India (GoI) proscribed Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA (P)A], and also notified Khalistani terrorist— Harwinder Singh Sandhu aka “Rinda” as a terrorist.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notification, Rinda has been associated with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and is presently based in Pakistan. With this announcement, there are 54 designated terrorists under the IV Schedule of the UA (P) Act.
For more information: Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Taliban Divided: Interior Min says Afghanistan in “intolerable” state, spokesperson rebuts – Firstpost

Haqqani’s comments came amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. Last year in December, the hard-line group banned university education for women in Afghanistan, apart from other obscurantist moves to curb natural freedoms of the people Click here to read…

Taliban forces kill 3 Daesh members in raid on Kabul building – Arab News

Taliban intelligence forces killed three Daesh militants and arrested one in an overnight operation in the Afghan capital of Kabul, an official said Tuesday. The raid on a residential building targeted Daesh militants who organized recent attacks in the capital, said Khalil Hamraz, a Taliban-appointed spokesman for Afghanistan’s general director of intelligence. He called the target in the Karti Naw neighborhood an important Daesh hideout. Click here to read…

Feb.15 Marks 34th Anniversary of Soviet Withdrawal – Tolo News

Wednesday, 15 February 2023, marks the 34th anniversary of the withdrawal of the former Soviet forces from Afghanistan. Many of the survivors of the Soviet attacks said that Russian soldiers in Afghanistan committed mass killings. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

AL’s counter to BNP on streets raises fear of violence – New Age

The ruling Awami League’s recent tendency to announce a counter-programme on the same day as the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s programme has put the country’s two major political parties on a collision course, raising fear of violence. Speaking with New Age, senior politicians, and political analysts said that these counter-political street programmes were a serious worry that may put people’s lives in danger in the coming days as the next general election drew closer. Click here to read…

Unit 1 of Rampal plant to resume power generation Wednesday – Dhaka Tribune

Unit-1 of the 1329MW Rampal coal-fired power plant will resume production from Wednesday, still under a test run that started in August before being discontinued last month. According to official sources, Unit-1, having 660MW capacity, was forced to shut down on January 14 due to shortage of coal supply. The authorities of the power plant were unable to open any letter of credit (LC) to import coal due to the dollar crisis. Click here to read…

Let’s not neglect jute any longer – Dhaka Tribune

It is very encouraging to see Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself comment on the state of the jute industry in Bangladesh, hitting the nail on the head when she proclaimed that despite being an environment-friendly agricultural product, jute did not get the expected attention and incentives like the RMG (readymade garments) industry. Click here to read…

Bhutan

FDI in the digital sector sees huge potential – Kuensel

Having failed to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) over the years, the FDI Policy is yet again on the government’s table for review. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the average FDI inflows to Bhutan have been less than USD 20 million a year since 2010, contributing less than 1 percent of the gross domestic product. Click here to read…

A Force of Change – Kuensel

Almost a decade after His Majesty’s address to a group of young de-suup trainees at the Military Training Center in Tencholing, Wangdue, the de-suup family today has grown from a few hundred to a formidable group of around 35,000. Click here to read…

Maldives

Latvian traveler caught smuggling drugs into Maldives – Raajje

A foreigner has been arrested for attempting to smuggle drugs into the Maldives. The Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed that a traveler from Latvia, 49, was arrested for attempting to smuggle drugs into the Maldives by ingesting them. The arrest was made following an intel report received by the Police Intelligence Unit, by the efforts of officers from the Maldives Immigration and Maldives Customs Service. Click here to read…

UNICEF Representative presents Letter of Appointment to FM Shahid – Raajje

The new UNICEF Representative to the Maldives, Dr. Edward Addai has presented his Letter of Appointment to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid. Dr. Edward presented his Letter of Appointment to Minister Shahid on 14 February 2022. During the meeting held following the presentation, Minister Shahid and the Representative discussed the role of UNICEF in the Maldives. As such, discussions were held in areas on child protection, maternal and child heath, immunization, nutrition, pre and primary education and social inclusion. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar’s opposition opens foreign ministry office in US – RFA

Myanmar’s opposition National Unity Government officially opened a shadow embassy in Washington on Monday, with a U.S. State Department official at the event using a speech to reject the legitimacy of elections planned by the military junta later this year. The so-called NUG has set up a government-in-exile after the military took power from a democratically elected government in a February 2021 coup. Click here to read…

No sales of arms to Myanmar for ‘a very long time’, says Singapore minister – Borneo Bulletin

Singapore has not sold military weapons to Myanmar for a very long time and has effected a ban on the sale of arms there, said Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan in Parliament yesterday. The minister was replying to a question from Member of Parliament (MP) Dennis Tap on recent assertions in the report of the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar which stated that Singapore functions as a “strategic transit point for potentially significant volumes of items” including raw materials that contribute towards military production by the Myanmar military. Click here to read…

It’s Time for Myanmar’s Neighbors to Sideline the Military Junta – The Diplomat

Anyone still hoping for a political solution to Myanmar’s crisis should ask one question: is the military junta willing to be held accountable for its crimes? The definitive answer, demonstrated repeatedly by their mounting atrocities, is “no.” But without accountability for the crimes committed since the February 2021 coup, which include the burning of women and children alive, there can be no political solution to the country’s conflict. Click here to read…

Chinese crypto scams forcing Filipinos to work for them in Myanmar – Mizzima

Chinese criminals running cryptocurrency scams in Southeast Asia are targeting Filipinos to work for them because of their English-language and computer skills, a Philippine foreign ministry official said Monday. Filipinos were “prized” targets for scam networks operating in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, said Eduardo de Vega, acting undersecretary for migrant workers’ affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs. Click here to read…

Nepal

“Differences Between Friends Can Be Resolved Through Talks”: Nepal Ex-PM – NDTV

Nepal’s former prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli, who on Tuesday held an extensive meeting with visiting Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, said any kind of differences between Nepal and India can be sorted out through dialogue, a source close to the CPN-UML chairman said. Click here to read…

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra completes his two day official visit to Nepal – NewsOnAir

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra completed his two-day official visit to Nepal at the invitation of the Foreign Secretary of Nepal, Mr. Bharat Raj Paudyal. During his two days visit Foreign Secretary Kwatra called on the President of Nepal, Mrs. Bidya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, and Foreign Minister of Nepal, Dr. Bimala Rai Paudyal alongwith meeting other senior members of the Government of Nepal and other leaders. Click here to read…

Nepal King Rekindles Calls For Restoration Of Nepal’s Status As A ‘Hindu Kingdom’, Joins Protests Against Government – Swarajya Marg

The former King of Nepal Gyanendra Shah on Monday (13 February) joined a public campaign that seeks to reinstate Nepal’s status as a “Hindu Kingdom”. Notably, the campaign was launched on the day the Nepal government led by the Communist Party leader Pushpakamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ declared a public holiday to mark 23 years of the Maoist war. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Asked to condemn Moscow, but followed India’s example of ‘neutral’ stand in Russia-Ukraine War: Imran Khan – India TV

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday claimed that the former Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had asked him to condemn Russia in its act of invading Ukraine, but he refused to do so citing India’s stand on the matter. Click here to read…

Govt turns to parliament after Alvi ‘refuses’ ordinance – Dawn

Despite its attempt to expedite pas­sage of fiscal measures mandated by the Internat­i­o­nal Monetary Fund (IMF), the government was forced to head to parliament on Tuesday after President Arif Alvi “adv­ised” Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to take parliament into confidence over the Rs170 billion in new taxes that are being levied. Click here to read…

The economic woes of Pakistan and Sri Lanka have similar origin stories – Scroll

Economists ascribe Sri Lanka’s recent financial problems to a severe decline in tourism and remittances, as well as a substantial tax cut, but poor governance is atop the list of the factors that played havoc with the island nation’s economy, which relied heavily on tourism and remittances. Both these sources were hit badly by the Covid pandemic as the workers were laid off on a mass scale. Click here to read…

Pakistan nearly doubles gas prices to meet IMF bailout terms – Money Control

Cash-strapped Pakistan nearly doubled natural gas taxes Tuesday in an effort to comply with a long-stalled financial bailout, raising concerns that the hardship could pass to consumers in the impoverished south Asian country. Click here to read…

Pakistan-Turkey relations: What’s in it for Ankara? – DNA India

Three devastating earthquakes struck Turkey’s South-eastern region bordering Syria in the early hours of 06 February 23. The widespread destruction and ensuing loss of life have, as expected in any major disaster of this magnitude, overwhelmed the country. The World community responded swiftly and immediate for HADR operations, given the intensity of envisaged damage, both to property and life. Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s too responded to the request by Turkey soon after. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka envoy meets Indian ministers seeking support for economic recovery – Hindustan Times

Sri Lankan high commissioner Milinda Moragoda on Tuesday met with union commerce minister Piyush Goyal and union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss India’s support for his country’s economic recovery, including through the expansion of bilateral trade and use of the rupee for trade settlement. Click here to read…

Protests against Wickremesinghe sweep Sri Lanka’s Tamil-dominated provinces – Peoples Dispatch – Peoples Dispatch

On February 11, the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) and students of Jaffna University in Sri Lanka staged a protest against a musical event organized by the secretariat of President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Jaffna as part of Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence day celebrations. At least 18 protestors, including Selvarajah Kajendren, Member of Parliament and General Secretary of the TNPF, were arrested at the protest. They were later released on bail. Click here to read…

Japan to grant 5 bn yen to Sri Lanka for public health sector fuel purchases – Economy Next

Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena said at the weekly cabinet press briefing on Tuesday February 14 that 35 million US dollar-worth grant is to be made under Japan’s Economic and Social Developmenet Programme so that Sri Lanka may continue essential and urgent health services uninterrupted. Click here to read…

Russia-Sri Lanka Economic Forum successfully held in Sri Lanka – Daily FT

Amidst the changing global dynamics, with the intention of strengthening socioeconomic relations between Russia and Sri Lanka, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) recently organised a four-day program, Russia-Sri Lanka Economic Forum (23-27 Jan.), which heralded fruitful outcomes for both nations. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Regional Security Officials Meet in Moscow, Discuss Afghanistan – Tolo News

The fifth multilateral meeting of security envoys was held on Wednesday in Moscow, during which they discussed the situation in Afghanistan and in the region. The Russian News Agency TASS reported that the Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev said that Washington intends to continue its geopolitical experiments, including in Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. Click here to read…

India to always stand by Afghans, says Ajit Doval at Moscow meeting – The Tribune

“India is and will remain an important stakeholder in Afghanistan. We have always stood by people of Afghanistan and will always support collective efforts to help Afghan people build a prosperous and vibrant nation once again,” said Doval while participating in the 5th Multilateral Meeting of Secretaries of Security Councils/ National Security Advisers on Afghanistan in Moscow on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Afghanistan: Taliban ‘desperate’ for resumption of flights to India – Firstpost

With the global community yet to recognise the current regime in Kabul, the Afghan Taliban is reportedly desperate for flights to resume between India and Afghanistan. According to a Hindustan Times report, the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan are optimistic that India will agree to resume direct flights between New Delhi and Kandahar. Click here to read…

Taliban Tighten Currency Controls After Dollar Smuggling Report – Bloomberg

The Taliban imposed fresh restrictions on people carrying foreign currency out of Afghanistan via a rare directive from the prime minister’s office after a report that millions of dollars were being smuggled in each day from Pakistan, shoring up its battered economy. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Awami League wants to see no unopposed MPs in next parliament – Dhaka Tribune

Awami League President and Prime Minister President Sheikh Hasina has called upon party lawmakers to take massive preparations for a participatory and representative election, regardless of whether the opposition BNP and its allies participate in it. Click here to read…

Fakhrul, Abbas get permanent bail – Daily Star

The High Court yesterday granted permanent bail to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and standing committee member Mirza Abbas in a case filed over last year’s December 7 clash between police and BNP men in Nayapaltan. The HC bench of Justice Md Salim and Justice Md Riaz Uddin Khan delivered the verdict holding the final hearing on a bail petition filed by them. Click here to read…

IMF Loans and the Post-Truth Politics in Bangladesh – Geopolitics

Finally, on Jan 30, 2023, Bangladesh successfully secured loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). For the last seven months since July 2022, intense negotiations took place which also became a political scoop for Bangladesh’s political parties. Oppositions and pressure groups resorted to mass persuasion using rhetoric and ‘charlatan’ predictions and analysis to decrease citizens’ confidence in the incumbent government. For a while, they were successful in creating skepticism about whether Bangladesh would get the loans or not. Such skepticism also induced unnecessary alarm, stress, confusion, and uncertainty, and created friction in the country. Looking back at that rhetoric, and half-cooked predictions, it seems there is a ‘post-truth’ politics at play in Bangladesh regarding the IMF loan. Click here to read…

Who killed democracy in Bangladesh? – Daily Star

The minister (Obaidul Quader) has cited the “peaceful atmosphere” that prevailed during the polling on February 1. Indeed, it was very peaceful. When fewer than 20 percent of voters turn up to vote, it is bound to be peaceful. When the opposition voters are told not to bother to come to the polling stations, it is bound to be “peaceful.” When an opposition candidate goes into hiding, unable to withstand the pressure on him, peace is bound to follow. The recent by-polls represent the state of democracy in our country fairly accurately. The near-empty polling booths, if nothing, displays a lack of trust; in fact, it demonstrates people’s apathy towards elections and voting. Most voters feel it is an exercise in futility under the present circumstances, the results a forgone conclusion. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Agriculture sector contributes the least to the economy – Kuensel

Agriculture sector employs nearly half of the country’s workforce. However, it is the least productive sector in the country. According to the Royal Monetary Authority’s (RMA) recent annual report, the agriculture sector employed 158,511 persons, equivalent to 49.2 percent of the total labour force in 2021. Click here to read…

India: EAM S. Jaishankar meets National Assembly Speaker of Bhutan Wangchuk Namgyel – Georgia Online

The External Affairs Minister of India, S Jaishankar, met with the Bhutanese National Assembly Speaker, Wangchuk Namgyel, in Delhi. The officials, at the meeting, discussed ways to strengthen the economic cooperation and concerns of the youth of both nations. The Indian official met with the 13-member delegation of Namgyel while praising the kind of relations the two nations bear with each other. Click here to read…

Five from Bhutan among IRS officers training in Bengaluru – Times of India

The 74th IRS batch has 43 officers in addition to five Bhutan-origin civil servants who shared their experience of learning in India. They said the IRS syllabus offered them a chance at knowledge enhancement. They got to learn about land, sea and air trade, unlike in their land-locked country. Click here to read…

3.5 million tourists will be welcomed annually by 2028 – Pres. Solih – Raajje

The President made the statement in his Presidential Address on Monday. In his address, President Solih described the past three years as the most challenging years the Maldivian economy has faced. As such, he noted that the Covid-19 pandemic brought a complete halt to the Maldivian economy. The President stated that the administration can show results based on mathematical results on the work done and what remains to be done. He said that data demonstrate how well the Maldivian economy is doing. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Manipur governor calls for combating anti-social activities from Myanmar – North East Now

Inspecting the Indo-Myanmar border at Kasom Khullen sub-divisional headquarters in Kamjong district of Manipur, governor La Ganesan, on Wednesday, called for combating the issues of illegal migration, smuggling of drugs, weapons, sneaking insurgents, etc that are being perpetrated from neighboring countries into Indian territory. Click here to read…

Chevron exits Myanmar upstream sector – Upstream Online

US supermajor Chevron has agreed to sell its significant stake in the producing Yadana gas field offshore Myanmar to Canada’s MTI Energy, prompting Justice for Myanmar to call for Canadian and UK sanctions on state-owned Myanma Oil & Gas Enterprise (MOGE). Chevon confirmed to Upstream it has agreed to sell its 41.1% stake in the Yadana gas project to Et Martem Holdings, a subsidiary of MTI Energy. Click here to read…

Anti-junta forces retreat after holding strategic river village for several days – Myanmar Now

Resistance forces in northern Sagaing Region’s Homalin Township withdrew on Saturday from a strategically important village that they captured and held for several days last week, according to sources. Shwe Pyi Aye Myothit, located on the eastern bank of the Chindwin River some 30km southwest of the town of Homalin, fell to an alliance of anti-junta groups on February 1. It remained under their control for the next three days, despite multiple counterattacks from the military and its militia allies. Click here to read…

Nepal

How Nepal Regenerated Its Forests – Earth Observatory

Today, community forests occupy nearly 2.3 million hectares—about a third of Nepal’s forest cover—and are managed by over 22,000 community forest groups comprising 3 million households. A 2016 United Nations report on the state of forests around the world found that three countries with the most annual gain in tree cover between 2010 and 2015 were the Philippines (with an annual growth rate of 3.3 percent), Chile (1.8 percent), and Lao PDR (0.9 percent). Within community forests of Kābhrepalāñchok and Sindhupālchok, forest growth between 2010 and 2015 was 1.84 percent. Click here to read…

Nepal opens high-level dialogue with defence minister’s visit to India – India Narrative

In a bid to further deepen bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries, Nepal’s Defence Minister Hari Prasad Upreti will be paying an official visit to India next week, officials said here on Tuesday. Upreti is visiting New Delhi from February 13 to 17 at the official invitation of his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh. This is the maiden foreign visit of the defence minister after he assumed the office on January 17. Upreti’s visit will mark the first high-level exchange between Nepal and India after the Prachanda government took office following elections. Click here to read…

Key Ally Quits Government in Nepal – The Diplomat

On February 6, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) decided to quit the coalition government led by Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Center (CPN-MC) supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal. The party lasted barely a month in the government. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Pakistan Navy invites 110 countries for ‘Exercise Aman’; only 7 bother to send ships – Times Now

Exercise Aman, for the Pakistan Navy, is a prestigious moment. It is its biggest exercise and though it’s to begin on February 10, of the 110 countries invited, only seven have bothered to send ships or submarines. The four-day biannual exercise appears to be another sign of Pakistan’s increasing isolation and participation appears to be going down. This year only seven countries have sent ships– the United States of America, China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Italy, and Japan. Click here to read…

Turkey insults Pakistan, refuses to host PM Shehbaz Sharif – Firstpost

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif announced his visit to Ankara to show solidarity with Turkey. He did not think that the country which is currently facing a natural disaster, resources should not be spent on VIP visits. In such a situation, Turkey itself refused to host Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif. Click here to read…

12 TTP militants killed in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province – The Hindu

Pakistan’s security forces gunned down 12 Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants on February 8 in the country’s restive northwest, police said, as the government stepped up its offensive against outlawed groups following a spike in terror attacks. Click here to read…

Pakistan at beginning of worst economic crisis since country’s formation: Report – Economic Times

Pakistan is currently at the beginning of the worst economic crisis since the country’s formation in 1947, Geo-politik reported. According to Geo-politik, Pakistan has taken fourteen loans from the IMF thus far, but ironically none of them has ever been completed. This, therefore, raises serious questions about the capacity and capability of the Pakistan state to get out of this dead-end. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

“I will respect the country” – Daily News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe delivering the Government’s Policy Statement yesterday requested everyone not to be prisoners of the past, but think about the future. “Let’s unite consensually and move forward democratically to support the recovery of the nation from the current crisisClick here to read…

Swiss government provides funds through UNICEF to support services for children In Sri Lanka – Colombo Page

The Government of Switzerland has contributed Swiss Francs (CHF) 500,000 (approximately Rs. 199 million) through UNICEF to meet the urgent needs of children impacted by the economic crisis in Sri Lanka. With this funding, UNICEF will procure essential medical supplies, including medicines for treatment of illnesses and complications among children and women. In education, the funds will help children in disadvantaged schools continue learning and support catch-up classes to recover learning loss, including by providing transport allowance to teachers and daily snacks to students. Click here to read…

Japanese State Minister of Foreign affairs visits Port of Colombo – Daily News

Japanese State Minister of Foreign Affairs TAKEI Shunsuke visited the Port of Colombo learn about the ongoing developments in the Port of Colombo. During the visit the Japanese State Minister of Foreign Affairs also met the Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) – Keith D. Bernard and other higher officials at the main control tower of the Port. The Chairman of SLPA explained to the Japanese State Minister of Foreign Affairs of the progress of the developments of the East Container Terminal (ECT), the West Container Terminal and the North Port Development Project. Click here to read…

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent – news that matters.

COMMENTARY

Here’s how President Biden can build on the promise of his Africa summit

After an eight-year hiatus, the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit returned to Washington last month amid heightened global geopolitical tension and economic uncertainty. Click here to read…

The West, Debt and Other Takeaways from Chinese Foreign Minister’s Africa Trip

China’s new Foreign Minister Qin Gang wrapped up his first international tour to Africa this week, during which he visited five diverse countries — Ethiopia, Gabon, Benin, Angola and Egypt. Click here to read…

NEWS

Thousands protest in Tunisia against president’s rule

Thousands of protesters angry at Tunisia’s economic crisis and the president’s increasingly authoritarian drift marched on Saturday through the capital, responding to a call from opposition parties to mark 12 years since Tunisian protesters unleashed Arab Spring uprisings around the region. Click here to read…

Head of Ethiopia’s Supreme Court resigns

A letter to the House of People’s Representatives (HoPR) on Tuesday did not state the reason for their resignation, local media house Addis Standard reported. Click here to read…

Western Sahara: The Polisario movement’s 16th congress set for election

Thousands of soldiers and supporters of The Polisario Front – the Western Sahara’s pro-independence movement, met on Thursday at the Dakhla Refugee Camp in the Tindouf Region of Algeria, to hold the start of a party conference. Click here to read…

Sudan forces crack down on protesters in capital

Sudanese protesters tried to march onto parliament on Thursday but were intercepted by security forces who fired tear gas and water hoses at the crowds. Click here to read…

Treasury Secretary Yellen kickstarts Biden administration visits to Africa

The Biden administration’s big push to engage more with Africa is underway as Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen begins a 10-day visit aimed at promoting all the economic possibilities that lie between the U.S. and the world’s second-largest continent. Click here to read…

In Senegal, Yellen talks about future of US-Africa relations

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen caravanned from a government building to a business incubator in Dakar on Friday and was set to end her day at the president’s residence, spreading a message of mutually beneficial U.S.-Africa relations. Click here to read…

Al Qaeda’s JNIM pushes closer to Malian capital

Over the last few weeks, the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), al Qaeda’s branch for the Sahel and much of West Africa, has perpetrated a series of attacks that have inched closer and closer to the Malian capital of Bamako. Click here to read…

Italian PM Heads to Algeria to Secure Energy Supplies

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to travel to Algeria this weekend in the European country’s latest bid to secure more energy supplies away from Russia. Click here to read…

Ruslan Obiang Nsue: Equatorial Guinea president’s son arrested over plane’s sale

Equatorial Guinea’s vice-president personally ordered the arrest of his half-brother over allegations he sold a plane owned by the state airline, a government statement says. Click here to read…

Probe after comments to ‘free’ W.Sahara at Africa football cup

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said Sunday it will investigate comments made at the African Nations Championship in Algeria to “free” the disputed Western Sahara, that have sparked Moroccan fury. Click here to read…

Ghana to host Africa’s political, business leaders at Africa Prosperity Dialogues

The maiden edition of The Africa Prosperity Dialogue Series will take place from Thursday 26 to Saturday 28 January, 2023 in Ghana, proud host nation of the AfCFTA Secretariat. Click here to read…

Egypt’s soaring prices drive home economic pain

In better times, Om Mohamed’s family used to take holidays at resorts on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. Click here to read…

Are white mercenaries fighting in the DRC conflict?

Western diplomats are deeply worried about the sudden appearance of Eastern European mercenaries in the volatile eastern Congo. Click here to read…

Zambia received ‘debt-for-nature’ proposal from WWF for restructuring

Zambia received a “debt-for-nature swap” proposal as part of its $13 billion restructuring discussions, a move that while complex to secure and not part of current talks, could set an eco-friendly precedent for other debt crises if eventually included. Click here to read…

G20 creditors on board for Ghana debt relief talks: Paris Club

Ghana is in the throes of its worst economic crisis in decades and has requested a restructuring of its debt. Click here to read…

Somalia to Issue First New Banknotes in More Than Three Decades

Somalia’s central bank aims to replace the only high-value currency note still in use by next year to deal with counterfeit bills, excess cash in circulation and inflation. Click here to read…

They are on the run’: Somalia leads fight against al-Shabab

Enough was enough. For 13 years, extremists with al-Qaida’s East Africa affiliate had controlled Mohamud Adow’s village in central Somalia, imposing harsh ideology and arresting local teachers and traditional leaders. Click here to read…

Kenyan security forces kill 10 suspected al-Shabab fighters

Kenyan security forces have killed 10 fighters from the Somalia-based al-Shabab group in eastern Kenya, a government official says. Click here to read…

Abducted Burkina Faso women flee gunmen as attacks spike

Piercing thorns and stones underfoot did not stop the young woman as she charged through thickets, baby strapped to her back, fleeing armed men who kidnapped her with dozens of others in northern Burkina Faso last week. Click here to read…

Tanzania registers record $63 million diamond exports

Tanzania diamond exports increased significantly to $63.1 million (Sh147.46 billion) by November 2022, the Bank of Tanzania has revealed. Click here to read…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Skips Davos Amid Electricity Crisis
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has canceled his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos in order to deal with his country’s worsening power blackouts. Click here to read…

Russia delivers more warplanes, helicopters to Mali

Mali’s current Air force Chief hails the latest deliveries as the latest stage in the “unprecedented” modernisation of the country’s forces, which are facing a militant insurgency. Click here to read…

Central African premier holds talks at Russian Defence Ministry

Central African Republic (CAR) Prime Minister Felix Moloua held talks in Moscow on Thursday with the leadership of Russia’s Defence Ministry. Click here to read…

Senegal institute wins $50 mln in boost to Africa’s vaccine capacity

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness (CEPI) will invest up to $50 million over 10 years to help Senegal’s Institut Pasteur expand Africa’s ability to produce vaccines at scale. Click here to read…

Uganda turns away from belt and road rail deal as China stalls on loans

Kampala cancels US$2.3 billion construction deal over funding delays, looks to Turkish company to take over the projectClick here to read…

Uganda approves construction licence for $3.5 bln crude pipeline

Uganda on Wednesday issued a final tender to company controlled by TotalEnergies to construct a $3.5 billion oil pipeline through to Tanzania. Click here to read…

China, Benin ink deal on partial debt cancellation

China and Benin signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on partial debt cancellation Saturday during the visit of the Chinese top diplomat Qin Gang to the African country. Click here to read…

Congo sees deal on $6 bln China mining contract overhaul this year

Democratic Republic of Congo expects to reach an agreement on overhauling $6 billion of an infrastructure-for-minerals deal with Chinese investors this year. Click here to read…

China-built Namibian railway renovation project completed

The restoration of the railway line between Walvis Bay and Arandis in Namibia, with a total length of nearly 110 kilometers, by a Chinese construction company was completed. Click here to read…

China-Africa traditional friendship shows ‘new characteristic’ as FM Qin concludes 8-day visit

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang concluded his first official overseas trip since his appointment on December 30, 2022, with visits to five African countries and two regional organizations on his busy eight-day schedule. Click here to read…

Russia, China to hold naval drills off South Africa

Russia and China will conduct naval drills in the Indian Ocean off the coast of South Africa next monthClick here to read…

Israel ready to support Nigeria with intelligence in tackling terrorism

Israel says it is ready to support Nigeria in the areas of Intelligence sharing, modern combat equipmentand extraction of relevant information to effectively win the ongoing war against terrorism. Click here to read…

Morocco says it will boost military ties with Israel

Morocco’s army said Tuesday it had agreed with Israel to strengthen military cooperation including in intelligence and cybersecurity, following defense meetings in Rabat. Click here to read…

Zambia, UAE to develop $2 billion solar projects

Zesco, the Zambian state-owned power utility, and Masdar, the United Arab Emirates renewable energy firm has signed an agreement to develop solar projects in the amount of $2 billion.Click here to read…

Gambian vice president dies after ‘short illness’ in India

Joof was the fourth deputy to serve under President Barrow since his historic 2016 win against former strongman Yahya Jammeh. Click here to read…

Gabon’s foreign minister dies after suffering heart attack during cabinet meeting

Gabon’s foreign minister Michael Moussa Adamo died Friday after suffering a heart attack during a cabinet meeting, the government and a presidential source saidClick here to read…

European Parliament condemns Morocco for first time in 25 years, after vote on human rights

European lawmakers voted on Thursday to condemn Morocco for the first time in 25 years, as it called on the country to respect media freedom and to release all political prisoners and jailed journalists. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

India, Egypt to hold dialogue on defence ties during President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s visit

India and Egypt are likely to seal around half a dozen agreements during the visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi who is slated to arrive in New Delhi on January 24 ahead of the Republic Day celebrations. Click here to read…

180-Strong Egypt Contingent To Join Republic Day Parade, President Chief Guest

According to sources, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is set to arrive in New Delhi on January 24th and will be greeted by Minister of State for External Affairs, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh. Click here to read…

CYCLONE – I: India, Egypt special forces hold joint exercise in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer

The 14 days long exercise will focus on sharing professional skills and interoperability of special forces in desert terrain while undertaking counter terrorism, reconnaissance, raids and other special operations. Click here to read…

Togo-India Partnership: President Gnassigbe recently met India’s ambassador

The Togolese President, Faure Gnassingbé, met India’s Ambassador to Togo, Ram Saajiv Tandon last Tuesday. Click here to read…

Lok Sabha Speaker calls on Tanzanian PM, says solutions to global issues require joint action

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who is leading an Indian Parliamentary Delegation (IPD) to Tanzania, called on Prime Minister of Tanzania Kassim Majaliwa and said that solutions to global issues require joint action. Click here to read…

Seychelles receives new Ashok Leyland buses made for island use

The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) has received the first batch of new Ashok Leyland buses to upgrade its transport system. Click here to read…

HDFC Bank-HDFC merger: Mauritius FSC okays Griha share transfer from HDFC Holdings

The country’s largest housing finance company HDFC Ltd on Monday, January 16, said it got approval from the Financial Services Commission, Mauritius for the transfer of shares of Griha Investments from HDFC Holdings Ltd to HDFC Bank for the merger. Click here to read…

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent – news that matters.

COMMENTARY

US and Russia clash over violent extremism in Africa

The United States accused Russian military contractors backed by the Kremlin on Tuesday of interfering in the internal affairs of African countries and “increasing the likelihood that violent extremism will grow” in the Sahel region which is facing increasing attacks and deteriorating security — an allegation Russia denied. Click here to read…

How Ruto can transform Kenya’s economy

Despite William Ruto’s narrow win to become Kenya’s president in August last year, the transition occurred peacefully. Now his challenge is to transform the economy in a country with numerous developmental challenges. Click here to read…

NEWS

Benin pro-government parties win parliamentary majority

Benin’s pro-government parties have won a majority of seats in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, the country’s constitutional court announced Thursday. Click here to read…

Benin constitutional court affirms election win for ruling coalition

Benin’s constitutional court on Friday affirmed the ruling coalition’s win in last weekend’s legislative election and the return to parliament of an opposition after boycotts and exclusions in previous elections. Click here to read…

Gabon names first female vice president and new prime minister

The new vice president, the first woman to hold the position in Gabon, was previously prime minister and defence minister. Click here to read…

Polisario holds leadership poll under shadow of Morocco-Algeria tensions

The Polisario movement, which seeks independence in disputed Western Sahara, started meeting Friday for leadership elections in the shadow of mounting tensions between host Algeria and Morocco, which controls most of the territory. Click here to read…

Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict: TPLF forces hand over weapons in peace move

Tigrayan forces in northern Ethiopia have started handing over heavy weapons in line with a peace deal to end a brutal civil war. Click here to read…

Amhara forces withdraw from northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region

Forces from Ethiopia’s Amhara region who fought in support of federal troops during the two-year civil war in neighbouring Tigray have withdrawn in line with an African Union-backed ceasefire, the army says. Click here to read…

Insecurity could derail Nigeria polls, election commission warns

There have been 50 recorded attacks on offices of the electoral commission nationwide between 2019 and 2022. Click here to read…

Chad says it foiled ‘destabilisation’ attempt by officers

A group of 11 officers, led by a human rights activist, was behind the attempt, according to a government statement. Click here to read…

Violence soars in Mali in the year after Russians arrive

Western officials say violence against civilians in Mali has risen in the year since hundreds of Russian mercenaries have started working alongside the West African country’s armed forces. Click here to read…

Amnesty condemns Mozambique’s ‘forgotten war’ after viral video

A video showing soldiers hurling a corpse onto a pile of burning rubble in Mozambique’s north “gives a glimpse” of what is happening in a “forgotten war,” Amnesty International said. Click here to read…

South Africa wants probe into ‘disturbing’ Mozambique clip

South Africa wants an investigation into a “disturbing” video allegedly showing one of its soldiers present while bodies were being burned on a pile of rubble in Mozambique. Click here to read…

DR Congo accuses Rwanda of ‘political’ blackmail over refugees

Kinshasa accused Rwanda of using refugees for political purposes on Wednesday, after its neighbour said it would no longer take in people fleeing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Click here to read…

South Africa to Use BRICS Chair Role to Advance Africa Interests

South Africa will use its role as the 2023 chair of the BRICS grouping of nations to advance the interest of Africa as a whole, President Cyril Ramaphosa saidClick here to read…

Egypt vows to cut military’s outsized role in economy under IMF bailout

Egypt has committed to reducing the military’s role in the economy as part of its $3bn IMF bailout package, as the Arab state grapples with a foreign currency crisis, a weakening pound and rising inflation. Click here to read…

New Zimbabwe law threatens health workers with jail over strikes

Zimbabwe has brought in a law banning health workers such as nurses and doctors from prolonged strikes, imposing punishments of up to six months in jail for defiant workers or union leaders, state-run media and a government spokesman said. Click here to read…

Nigeria: Don’t interfere with our elections, Buhari warns foreign governments

With just few weeks to the commencement of the general elections, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday reiterated his warning to foreign governments’ representatives not to meddle in the exercise. Click here to read…

Hundreds rally against al-Shabab in Somali capital Mogadishu

Somalia President Mohamud urges citizens to help flush out members of the group he describes as ‘bedbugs’. Click here to read…

Chinese national nabbed in Tanzania for cyber fraud

A Chinese national has been nabbed in Tanzania for cyber fraud, raising concern about the global threat posed by Chinese cyber criminals, The HK Post reported. Click here to read…

Botswana court upholds ex-president Khama’s arrest warrant

A Botswana court on Friday dismissed an application by former President Ian Khama to have an arrest warrant against him struck down. Click here to read…

Why the military promised to withdraw from power in Sudan

Little more than a year ago, the military side of the coalition charged with helping Sudan transition to democracy staged a coup, ousting the civilian elements of the coalition and seizing control of the country. Click here to read…

Fourteen Malian soldiers killed in two armed group attacks: Army

Fourteen Malian soldiers were killed and 11 wounded in two separate attacks in central Mali after their vehicles struck explosive devices. Click here to read…

Nine Killed in Mosque Attack in Burkina Faso

Nine people were killed when suspected jihadists attacked a mosque in northeastern Burkina Faso, local sources said Thursday. Click here to read…

Libyan politicians’ pay goes up 40% as election impasse continues

Western leaders are losing patience with an entrenched Libyan political elite that has collectively failed to agree on the basis of elections for more than a year but has boosted politicians’ salaries by more than 40%.Click here to read…

Zambia’s Former Ruling Party Rejects IMF Allegation of Corruption Under Lungu

Zambia’s former ruling Patriotic Front party has rejected a report by the International Monetary Fund saying corruption flourished under its government. Click here to read…

Ghana increases salaries by 30 percent amid economic woes

Ghana’s government and trade unions have agreed to increase all public servants’ salaries by 30 percent for 2023, they said in a joint statement, as the country struggles to reduce debt and tackle rampant inflation. Click here to read…

US, Russia clash at UN meeting over ‘violent extremism’ in Africa

The United States has accused Kremlin-backed Russian military contractors of interfering in the internal affairs of African countries and “increasing the likelihood that violent extremism will grow” in the Sahel region. Click here to read…

Yellen leads new U.S.-Africa policy with trip to Senegal, Zambia, South Africa

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will travel to Senegal, Zambia and South Africa during the next two weeks, as the United States aims to strengthen ties with a continent that has been the focus of Chinese trade and investment for years. Click here to read…

China’s new Foreign Minister Qin Gang heads to Africa for first trip

“Qin Gang will visit Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin and Egypt from January 9-16,” spokesperson Wang Wenbin said. Click here to read…

China FM on Africa visit sidesteps call for UN council seat

China’s new foreign minister, Qin Gang, has sidestepped a new call by the African Union for permanent representation on the U.N. Security Council during his visit to Ethiopia. Click here to read…

China ‘Gobbles’ Russia’s Market Share in Africa; Increases Defense Cooperation as Ukraine War Keeps Moscow Busy

Recent statistics have indicated that Beijing’s expanding influence may threaten the Russian market share. Click here to read…

Angolan President meets Chinese FM on bilateral ties

Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Friday met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Luanda. Click here to read…

Uganda drops Chinese firm from railway deal, eyes Turkish rival

Uganda has terminated its contract with a Chinese firm China Harbour and Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) to build a railway to the Kenyan border and is now considering a deal with a Turkish company. Click here to read…

Türkiye says 5 million tons of grain shipped to sub-Sahara Africa

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu was in Rwanda’s Kigali on Thursday, as part of his five-nation Africa tour. Click here to read…

Why new Rwanda, Turkey deals matter

Cooperation agreements between Rwanda and Turkey lay ground for a promising trajectory towards needed development across various sectors, according to diplomacy experts. Click here to read…

South Sudan’s Kiir invited for conference in Turkey

Turkey has invited South Sudan President Salva Kiir to attend a diplomatic conference scheduled to take place in March 2023. Click here to read…

Turkish FM opens consulate in Cape Town, hails South Africa ties

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu inaugurated the new building of the Turkish Consulate in South Africa’s Cape Town on Monday and heaped praise on ties with the African country. Click here to read…

Macron will not seek Algeria’s ‘forgiveness’ for colonialism

President Emmanuel Macron says he will not “ask forgiveness” from Algeria for French colonisation, but hopes to continue working towards reconciliation with his counterpart, Abdelmajid Tebboune. Click here to read…

Djibouti inks $1bn deal with Hong Kong company to build rocket launch site

Djibouti has inked a preliminary technological cooperation agreement with Chinese multinational Hong Kong Aerospace Technology to build a $1bn satellite and rocket launch site which could see the launch of the first Africa-made satellite from the African continent. Click here to read…

Uganda declares itself Ebola-free after swiftly turning tide on outbreak

Uganda on Wednesday declared the end of a nearly four-month Ebola outbreak that it briefly struggled to contain but was then able to swiftly bring under control despite the absence of a proven vaccine against the viral strain in question. Click here to read…

Autonomous Africa CDC a game-changer on disease outbreak response: Experts

Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention will now be in a position to assess disease outbreaks on the continent and declare it an emergency if it’s beyond one country. Click here to read…

Rain still in short supply as another failed wet season kills thousands of wild animals in Kenya

Rain has returned to the Amboseli ecosystem, but it is too little, too late for thousands of wildlife that have already perished in Kenya’s worst drought in 40-years. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

First ever India-Africa military exercise in March. Will be at platoon level: Army Chief

In March this year the first ever India-Africa Military exercise will take place and on the sidelines there will be Army Chiefs conclave. Click here to read…

30 years of India-South Africa relations: Connected with Cricket, Culture, Cuisine

As we enter the new year, South Africa marks the completion of 30 momentous years of the bilateral relationship with India. Click here to read…

Time to rebuild relations with Egypt

For India, a deeper economic engagement with Egypt acquires an additional strategic imperativeClick here to read…

Sisi’s R-Day Visit: Ties with Egypt Key to India’s Ambitions in North Africa

Egypt Prez Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit on Republic Day comes as India aims to expand its presence in WANA region. Click here to read…

Egypt mulls cooperation with India’s TEJAS in communication sector

Egypt is considering cooperation in the field of wired and wireless communication with India’s TEJAS, according to a statement by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology on January 11th. Click here to read…

Over 1,000 Indian peacekeepers awarded UN medals for their exceptional service in South Sudan

Over one thousand Indian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) were awarded United Nations medals for their exceptional service. Click here to read…

All-woman team from India to keep peace at Abyei on Sudan-South Sudan border

This will be India’s largest single unit of women peacekeepers in a U.N. mission since the deployment of the first-ever all women’s contingent in Liberia in 2007Click here to read…

Om Birla to lead Indian parliamentary delegation to Kenya, Tanzania

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla will be leading a delegation to Kenya and Tanzania from 16th to 21st of this month. Click here to read…

Indian companies invest $19bn in Nigeria

The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri Balasubramanian, has disclosed that over 135 Indian companies have so far invested $19bn in Nigeria in the last four decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Click here to read…

India’s Mahindra named fastest-growing brand in South Africa for 2022

The report said that ‘Mahindra SA’ increased its sales volume by a massive 78 per cent compared to 2021, the highest of all the vehicle brands that report their sales to NAAMSAClick here to read…

Mauritius top court bars Devas shareholders from pursuing arbitration against India

According to Devas Mauritius shareholders’ contention, the Indian government had failed to protect their investment in Devas by allegedly wrongfully liquidating the companyClick here to read…

IMF chief heading to Zambia, says new debt ’roundtable’ will meet next month in India

A new global sovereign debt “roundtable” that will include China, other creditors and some borrowing countries will meet for the first-time next month on the sidelines of a Group of 20 finance officials meeting in India. Click here to read…

Azadi kaa Amrit Mahotsav’: Remembering forgotten hero of Bhojpur in South Africa

Recounting Budree Ahir’s journey, his great grandson says, “During acute financial crisis, Dadaji had helped him (Mahatma Gandhi) by giving £1000 to him in those days.” Click here to read…

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman: Mohanlal Hira is keeping Gandhi alive in South Africa

Mohanlal Heera receives Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. He receives award for community welfare in South Africa. Click here to read…

Top West African countries supplying imports to India

Nigeria emerged as the leading supplier of imports to India among West African countries in FY 2022, with a value of $10 million. Click here to read…

India condemns ‘mindless act of vandalism’ on Mahatma Gandhi statue in Seychelles

The high commission of India has thanked the Seychelles authorities for their action in the matter and hopes that the perpetrators will be apprehended expeditiously. Click here to read…

India is adapting to new peacekeeping priorities

Peacekeeping operations have undergone a shift in the last two decades. They have become more violent and risky. Click here to read…

Airtel Africa acquires 4G, 5G spectrum for $316.7 million

Airtel Africa is a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel. The payment for the purchased spectrum will be done in local currency. Click here to read…

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent – news that matters.

COMMENTARY

US and Russia clash over violent extremism in Africa

The United States accused Russian military contractors backed by the Kremlin on Tuesday of interfering in the internal affairs of African countries and “increasing the likelihood that violent extremism will grow” in the Sahel region which is facing increasing attacks and deteriorating security — an allegation Russia denied. Click here to read…

How Ruto can transform Kenya’s economy

Despite William Ruto’s narrow win to become Kenya’s president in August last year, the transition occurred peacefully. Now his challenge is to transform the economy in a country with numerous developmental challenges. Click here to read…

NEWS

Benin pro-government parties win parliamentary majority

Benin’s pro-government parties have won a majority of seats in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, the country’s constitutional court announced Thursday. Click here to read…

Benin constitutional court affirms election win for ruling coalition

Benin’s constitutional court on Friday affirmed the ruling coalition’s win in last weekend’s legislative election and the return to parliament of an opposition after boycotts and exclusions in previous elections. Click here to read…

Gabon names first female vice president and new prime minister

The new vice president, the first woman to hold the position in Gabon, was previously prime minister and defence minister. Click here to read…

Polisario holds leadership poll under shadow of Morocco-Algeria tensions

The Polisario movement, which seeks independence in disputed Western Sahara, started meeting Friday for leadership elections in the shadow of mounting tensions between host Algeria and Morocco, which controls most of the territory. Click here to read…

Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict: TPLF forces hand over weapons in peace move

Tigrayan forces in northern Ethiopia have started handing over heavy weapons in line with a peace deal to end a brutal civil war. Click here to read…

Amhara forces withdraw from northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region

Forces from Ethiopia’s Amhara region who fought in support of federal troops during the two-year civil war in neighbouring Tigray have withdrawn in line with an African Union-backed ceasefire, the army says. Click here to read…

Insecurity could derail Nigeria polls, election commission warns

There have been 50 recorded attacks on offices of the electoral commission nationwide between 2019 and 2022. Click here to read…

Chad says it foiled ‘destabilisation’ attempt by officers

A group of 11 officers, led by a human rights activist, was behind the attempt, according to a government statement. Click here to read…

Violence soars in Mali in the year after Russians arrive

Western officials say violence against civilians in Mali has risen in the year since hundreds of Russian mercenaries have started working alongside the West African country’s armed forces. Click here to read…

Amnesty condemns Mozambique’s ‘forgotten war’ after viral video

A video showing soldiers hurling a corpse onto a pile of burning rubble in Mozambique’s north “gives a glimpse” of what is happening in a “forgotten war,” Amnesty International said. Click here to read…

South Africa wants probe into ‘disturbing’ Mozambique clip

South Africa wants an investigation into a “disturbing” video allegedly showing one of its soldiers present while bodies were being burned on a pile of rubble in Mozambique. Click here to read…

DR Congo accuses Rwanda of ‘political’ blackmail over refugees

Kinshasa accused Rwanda of using refugees for political purposes on Wednesday, after its neighbour said it would no longer take in people fleeing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Click here to read…

South Africa to Use BRICS Chair Role to Advance Africa Interests

South Africa will use its role as the 2023 chair of the BRICS grouping of nations to advance the interest of Africa as a whole, President Cyril Ramaphosa saidClick here to read…

Egypt vows to cut military’s outsized role in economy under IMF bailout

Egypt has committed to reducing the military’s role in the economy as part of its $3bn IMF bailout package, as the Arab state grapples with a foreign currency crisis, a weakening pound and rising inflation. Click here to read…

New Zimbabwe law threatens health workers with jail over strikes

Zimbabwe has brought in a law banning health workers such as nurses and doctors from prolonged strikes, imposing punishments of up to six months in jail for defiant workers or union leaders, state-run media and a government spokesman said. Click here to read…

Nigeria: Don’t interfere with our elections, Buhari warns foreign governments

With just few weeks to the commencement of the general elections, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday reiterated his warning to foreign governments’ representatives not to meddle in the exercise. Click here to read…

Hundreds rally against al-Shabab in Somali capital Mogadishu

Somalia President Mohamud urges citizens to help flush out members of the group he describes as ‘bedbugs’. Click here to read…

Chinese national nabbed in Tanzania for cyber fraud

A Chinese national has been nabbed in Tanzania for cyber fraud, raising concern about the global threat posed by Chinese cyber criminals, The HK Post reported. Click here to read…

Botswana court upholds ex-president Khama’s arrest warrant

A Botswana court on Friday dismissed an application by former President Ian Khama to have an arrest warrant against him struck down. Click here to read…

Why the military promised to withdraw from power in Sudan

Little more than a year ago, the military side of the coalition charged with helping Sudan transition to democracy staged a coup, ousting the civilian elements of the coalition and seizing control of the country. Click here to read…

Fourteen Malian soldiers killed in two armed group attacks: Army

Fourteen Malian soldiers were killed and 11 wounded in two separate attacks in central Mali after their vehicles struck explosive devices. Click here to read…

Nine Killed in Mosque Attack in Burkina Faso

Nine people were killed when suspected jihadists attacked a mosque in northeastern Burkina Faso, local sources said Thursday. Click here to read…

Libyan politicians’ pay goes up 40% as election impasse continues

Western leaders are losing patience with an entrenched Libyan political elite that has collectively failed to agree on the basis of elections for more than a year but has boosted politicians’ salaries by more than 40%.Click here to read…

Zambia’s Former Ruling Party Rejects IMF Allegation of Corruption Under Lungu

Zambia’s former ruling Patriotic Front party has rejected a report by the International Monetary Fund saying corruption flourished under its government. Click here to read…

Ghana increases salaries by 30 percent amid economic woes

Ghana’s government and trade unions have agreed to increase all public servants’ salaries by 30 percent for 2023, they said in a joint statement, as the country struggles to reduce debt and tackle rampant inflation. Click here to read…

US, Russia clash at UN meeting over ‘violent extremism’ in Africa

The United States has accused Kremlin-backed Russian military contractors of interfering in the internal affairs of African countries and “increasing the likelihood that violent extremism will grow” in the Sahel region. Click here to read…

Yellen leads new U.S.-Africa policy with trip to Senegal, Zambia, South Africa

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will travel to Senegal, Zambia and South Africa during the next two weeks, as the United States aims to strengthen ties with a continent that has been the focus of Chinese trade and investment for years. Click here to read…

China’s new Foreign Minister Qin Gang heads to Africa for first trip

“Qin Gang will visit Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin and Egypt from January 9-16,” spokesperson Wang Wenbin said. Click here to read…

China FM on Africa visit sidesteps call for UN council seat

China’s new foreign minister, Qin Gang, has sidestepped a new call by the African Union for permanent representation on the U.N. Security Council during his visit to Ethiopia. Click here to read…

China ‘Gobbles’ Russia’s Market Share in Africa; Increases Defense Cooperation as Ukraine War Keeps Moscow Busy

Recent statistics have indicated that Beijing’s expanding influence may threaten the Russian market share. Click here to read…

Angolan President meets Chinese FM on bilateral ties

Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Friday met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Luanda. Click here to read…

Uganda drops Chinese firm from railway deal, eyes Turkish rival

Uganda has terminated its contract with a Chinese firm China Harbour and Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) to build a railway to the Kenyan border and is now considering a deal with a Turkish company. Click here to read…

Türkiye says 5 million tons of grain shipped to sub-Sahara Africa

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu was in Rwanda’s Kigali on Thursday, as part of his five-nation Africa tour. Click here to read…

Why new Rwanda, Turkey deals matter

Cooperation agreements between Rwanda and Turkey lay ground for a promising trajectory towards needed development across various sectors, according to diplomacy experts. Click here to read…

South Sudan’s Kiir invited for conference in Turkey

Turkey has invited South Sudan President Salva Kiir to attend a diplomatic conference scheduled to take place in March 2023. Click here to read…

Turkish FM opens consulate in Cape Town, hails South Africa ties

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu inaugurated the new building of the Turkish Consulate in South Africa’s Cape Town on Monday and heaped praise on ties with the African country. Click here to read…

Macron will not seek Algeria’s ‘forgiveness’ for colonialism

President Emmanuel Macron says he will not “ask forgiveness” from Algeria for French colonisation, but hopes to continue working towards reconciliation with his counterpart, Abdelmajid Tebboune. Click here to read…

Djibouti inks $1bn deal with Hong Kong company to build rocket launch site

Djibouti has inked a preliminary technological cooperation agreement with Chinese multinational Hong Kong Aerospace Technology to build a $1bn satellite and rocket launch site which could see the launch of the first Africa-made satellite from the African continent. Click here to read…

Uganda declares itself Ebola-free after swiftly turning tide on outbreak

Uganda on Wednesday declared the end of a nearly four-month Ebola outbreak that it briefly struggled to contain but was then able to swiftly bring under control despite the absence of a proven vaccine against the viral strain in question. Click here to read…

Autonomous Africa CDC a game-changer on disease outbreak response: Experts

Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention will now be in a position to assess disease outbreaks on the continent and declare it an emergency if it’s beyond one country. Click here to read…

Rain still in short supply as another failed wet season kills thousands of wild animals in Kenya

Rain has returned to the Amboseli ecosystem, but it is too little, too late for thousands of wildlife that have already perished in Kenya’s worst drought in 40-years. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

First ever India-Africa military exercise in March. Will be at platoon level: Army Chief

In March this year the first ever India-Africa Military exercise will take place and on the sidelines there will be Army Chiefs conclave. Click here to read…

30 years of India-South Africa relations: Connected with Cricket, Culture, Cuisine

As we enter the new year, South Africa marks the completion of 30 momentous years of the bilateral relationship with India. Click here to read…

Time to rebuild relations with Egypt

For India, a deeper economic engagement with Egypt acquires an additional strategic imperativeClick here to read…

Sisi’s R-Day Visit: Ties with Egypt Key to India’s Ambitions in North Africa

Egypt Prez Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit on Republic Day comes as India aims to expand its presence in WANA region. Click here to read…

Egypt mulls cooperation with India’s TEJAS in communication sector

Egypt is considering cooperation in the field of wired and wireless communication with India’s TEJAS, according to a statement by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology on January 11th. Click here to read…

Over 1,000 Indian peacekeepers awarded UN medals for their exceptional service in South Sudan

Over one thousand Indian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) were awarded United Nations medals for their exceptional service. Click here to read…

All-woman team from India to keep peace at Abyei on Sudan-South Sudan border

This will be India’s largest single unit of women peacekeepers in a U.N. mission since the deployment of the first-ever all women’s contingent in Liberia in 2007Click here to read…

Om Birla to lead Indian parliamentary delegation to Kenya, Tanzania

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla will be leading a delegation to Kenya and Tanzania from 16th to 21st of this month. Click here to read…

Indian companies invest $19bn in Nigeria

The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri Balasubramanian, has disclosed that over 135 Indian companies have so far invested $19bn in Nigeria in the last four decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Click here to read…

India’s Mahindra named fastest-growing brand in South Africa for 2022

The report said that ‘Mahindra SA’ increased its sales volume by a massive 78 per cent compared to 2021, the highest of all the vehicle brands that report their sales to NAAMSAClick here to read…

Mauritius top court bars Devas shareholders from pursuing arbitration against India

According to Devas Mauritius shareholders’ contention, the Indian government had failed to protect their investment in Devas by allegedly wrongfully liquidating the companyClick here to read…

IMF chief heading to Zambia, says new debt ’roundtable’ will meet next month in India

A new global sovereign debt “roundtable” that will include China, other creditors and some borrowing countries will meet for the first-time next month on the sidelines of a Group of 20 finance officials meeting in India. Click here to read…

Azadi kaa Amrit Mahotsav’: Remembering forgotten hero of Bhojpur in South Africa

Recounting Budree Ahir’s journey, his great grandson says, “During acute financial crisis, Dadaji had helped him (Mahatma Gandhi) by giving £1000 to him in those days.” Click here to read…

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman: Mohanlal Hira is keeping Gandhi alive in South Africa

Mohanlal Heera receives Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. He receives award for community welfare in South Africa. Click here to read…

Top West African countries supplying imports to India

Nigeria emerged as the leading supplier of imports to India among West African countries in FY 2022, with a value of $10 million. Click here to read…

India condemns ‘mindless act of vandalism’ on Mahatma Gandhi statue in Seychelles

The high commission of India has thanked the Seychelles authorities for their action in the matter and hopes that the perpetrators will be apprehended expeditiously. Click here to read…

India is adapting to new peacekeeping priorities

Peacekeeping operations have undergone a shift in the last two decades. They have become more violent and risky. Click here to read…

Airtel Africa acquires 4G, 5G spectrum for $316.7 million

Airtel Africa is a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel. The payment for the purchased spectrum will be done in local currency. Click here to read…

NATIONAL

Tata Power’s IT infrastructure suffered a cyber-attack; critical systems were not disrupted

On 14 October 2022, Tata Power announced that their IT infrastructure dealt with a cyber-attack and some systems were impacted. The cyber-attack targeted its IT infrastructure, but the critical systems have not been disrupted. “The Company has taken steps to retrieve and restore the systems. All critical operational systems are functioning; however, as a measure of abundant precaution, restricted access and preventive checks have been put in place for employee and customer-facing portals and touchpoints,” said Tata Power’s spokesperson.

India’s Power Minister R K Singh informed the Press in April 2022 that Chinese hackers had twice failed to target electricity distribution centres near Ladakh. A Chinese state-sponsored hacking group targeted at least seven Indian State Load Despatch Centres (SLDCs) responsible for real-time grid control and electricity dispatch near the disputed India-China border in Ladakh.^[1]

CERT-In and Power-CSIRT jointly organised a cyber security exercise— “PowerEX-2022”.

On 12 October 2022, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and Power-CSIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Teams in the Power sector) jointly organised a cyber security exercise— PowerEX-2022 and invited 193 Power sector utilities. The objective of the exercise was to “Recognise, Analyse and Respond to cyber incidents in IT and OT (Operational Technology) Systems”.

CERT-In hosted PowerEX-2022 on its exercise simulation platform with the theme “Defending Cyber-Induced Disruption in IT & OT Infrastructure.” The cyber security exercise involved over 350 officials from various Power sectors.^[2]

CBI-led ‘Operation Chakra’ dismantled cybercrime networks operating in India.

In a joint operation— ‘Operation Chakra’ launched in collaboration with State police, Interpol, and various agencies of other nations, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) dismantled cyber-crime networks operating in India and arrested 16 cyber-criminals. Acting upon the inputs shared by the Interpol, the US’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and Australian Federal Police (AFP), the CBI, in coordination with State police, carried out search operations at 115 locations across India.

Out of 115 locations, the CBI carried out searches at 87 locations, including 16 States, whereas 28 locations were searched by various State police, including 02 locations by Assam police, 04 locations by Andaman & Nicobar Police, 03 locations by Chandigarh police, 05 places by Delhi police, 12 locations by Karnataka police, and 02 locations by Punjab police. “The operation intends to dismantle the infrastructure of these international cyber-crime gangs in India and bring these perpetrators to justice. India’s fight against transnational organised cyber-crime has thus achieved a major milestone,” read the statement released by the CBI.

During the searches, the CBI unearthed 02 Call Centres in Pune & Ahmedabad and recovered cash worth ₹ 1.8 crores (approx.) and 1.5 kg gold (approx.).^[3]

For a free, open, trustworthy, and accountable internet, the Government of India (GoI) announced amendments to the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021.

While addressing the media members on 28 October 2022, the Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology— Rajeev Chandrasekhar, said that protecting the Constitutional rights of Indian citizens is a must and that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a trustee of the rights of citizens and Digital Nagriks. The minister addressed the media members about the amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified these amendments aimed at protecting the rights of Digital Nagriks as part of a significant push toward an Open, Safe, Trusted, and Accountable Internet. It also strengthens due diligence requirements while holding accountable social media and other intermediaries. They were notified in light of complaints about the intermediaries’ actions or inactions on user complaints about objectionable content or the suspension of their accounts. Intermediaries will now be expected to ensure that no content is uploaded that intentionally communicates misinformation or information that is patently false or untrue, entrusting intermediaries with significant responsibility. The rules also make it clear that the intermediary must respect the rights guaranteed to Indian citizens under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Indian Constitution. ^[4]

The amended rules are hosted on the Ministry’s website and are available at: Click here to read…

UNCTC adopted the Delhi Declaration on Countering the Use of New and Emerging Technologies for Terrorist Purposes.

On 29 October 2022, the Delhi Declaration on the use of the Internet and other technologies for terrorist objectives was unanimously endorsed by the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee (UNCTC). According to the proclamation, one of the biggest challenges to global peace and security is terrorism, in all of its expressions and forms. As one of the essential takeaways, India now intends to carry out the recommendations based on the three Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) special meeting themes. These include:

• Threats and opportunities related to new payment technologies and fundraising methods,
• Countering terrorist exploitation of ICT and emerging technologies, and
• Threats posed by terrorist misuse of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

As a result of terror infiltration on its soil from neighbouring Pakistan, India reaffirmed its commitment to combat terrorism in collaboration with key global players at the summit. Terrorists have stepped up their use of the internet and other IC technologies, including social media platforms. India also recognised the risks and difficulties of financial technology developments, like crowdfunding platforms, being misused to fund terrorism.^[5]

INTERNATIONAL

Cyber-attack on Chile’s astronomical observatory raised concerns about the security of space tech.

On 29 October 2022, the Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA), a Chilean astronomical observatory, was the victim of a cyber-attack and had to halt operations. The attack had affected the observatory’s computer systems and targeted its public website. The attack did not affect ALMA’s scientific data or antennas, but it prevented space observations and limited access to its email servers. Around 66 Radio Telescopes (RTs) make up the ALMA observatory, which is estimated to be worth USD 1.4 billion. These RTs can record high-definition (HD) photos of the extremely faint radio waves generated by far-off celestial objects that are 13 billion light years away.

“Beating one of the world’s most powerful observatories offline demonstrates that cyber-attackers are dogged in their pursuit to disrupt, run reconnaissance efforts, or lift valuable data or IP addresses,” said Josh Lospinoso, the CEO of a cyber security firm— Shift5. Space is another frontier for cyber-attacks, with hackers targeting the space industry for geopolitical and militaristic reasons.^[6]

A cyber-attack disrupted Bulgarian government websites over ‘betrayal to Russia’.

According to Bulgaria’s Prosecutor-General Ivan Geshev, on 15 October 2022, pro-Russian hackers carried out a ‘large-scale’ DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attack on Bulgarian government websites. The websites of the Presidential Administration, the Defense Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the Justice Ministry, and the Constitutional Court were all taken down by the DDoS attack.

Killnet, a pro-Russian hacking group, claimed responsibility for the attack and wrote on its official group on the Telegram app that “the government of Bulgaria is sentenced to network collapse and shame. It was a punishment for betrayal to Russia and the supply of weapons to Ukraine.” Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Killnet group has been active. Numerous government networks in Europe, including those in Romania, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Finland, and Latvia, were among the dozens of targets the group previously targeted. Although the DDoS attack on the Bulgarian websites had no lasting effects and no private information was exposed, it still sparked a significant response from Bulgarian government officials. The Prosecutor-General Geshev described it as “a severe issue” and “an attack on the state of Bulgaria.”^[7]

Chinese cyber-espionage group “WIP19” targeted telecoms and IT service providers in West Asia and Asia.

According to the reports of a cyber security firm— SentinelOne, a new Chinese cyber-espionage group identified as WIP19 has been targeting telecoms and IT service providers based in West Asia and Asia by using stolen certificates to sign several malicious components. To date, the APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) group WIP19 uses malware families such as ScreenCap, SQLMaggie, and a credential dumper. “The stolen certificate was used to sign all of the threat actor’s credential harvesting tools, including a password dumper that relied on open-source code to load an SSP to LSASS and dump the process.

WIP19 was also observed loading a keylogger and a screen recorder using DLL search order hijacking. The keylogger primarily targets the victim’s browser to collect credentials and other sensitive data,” read the statement released by SentinelOne. The backdoor was masked as a legitimate DLL registered to the MSSQL Server in SQLMaggie attacks to provide the attackers with control over the server machine and to perform network reconnaissance.^[8]

Turkey’s new law against disinformation raised deep concerns over free speech.

On 13 October 2022, the Turkish parliament adopted a new law proposed by President Tayyip Erdogan, which would jail journalists and social media users for up to three years for spreading ‘disinformation’. In parliament, President Erdogan’s AK Party (AKP) and its allies MHP voted to approve the bill, whereas MPs in opposition and media rights activists opposed it.

Article 29 of the law state that “those who spread false information online about Turkey’s security to create fear and disturb public order will face a prison sentence of one to three years.”^[9] However, the law did not define the nature of false or misleading information.

Turkey ‘secretly’ assisted Pakistan in establishing a cyber army against India and the US.

According to Nordic Monitor’s findings, Pakistan established a cyber army with the assistance of Turkey in order to influence public opinion and the views of Muslims living in South/South-East Asia, attack India and the United States (US), and undermine criticism levelled against Pakistan establishment. Further, the findings revealed that the proposal to form such an army was raised during private talks between visiting Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and his Pakistani counterpart— former Minister of State for Interior— Shehryar Khan Afridi, on 17 December 2018. On the same day, Minister of State for Interior— Afridi met former Pakistan Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, who later green-lighted the project.

According to sources acquainted with the project, the covert activity was disguised under the bilateral agreement on cooperation against cyber-crime, whereas in reality, it was against perceived influence operations pursued by India, the US, and other foreign countries. Responding to Pakistan’s request to set up the cyber army, Turkey sent five police chiefs from various departments in the Security General Directorate (Emniyet). The five-member team spent months in Pakistan getting the project off the ground and eventually finishing it. The cooperation has since continued under successive governments, with Turkey training approximately 6,000 Pakistani police officers for this and other related projects.^[10]

Japan and Australia strengthen their security pact in response to China’s threat.

On 22October 2022, Japan and Australia signed a new bilateral agreement covering military, intelligence, and cyber security cooperation. The agreement also referred to cooperation in resisting economic coercion and disinformation, which China is widely accused of. The bilateral agreement is the first of its kind where Japan signed with any country other than the United States (US). The agreement covers military interoperability, intelligence, cyber security, operations in space, law-enforcement, logistics and protecting telecommunications. “This new declaration…will chart the direction of our security and defence cooperation in the next 10 years,” said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.^[11]

Endnotes :

^[1] Greig, Jonathan. “Indian energy company Tata Power announces cyberattack affecting IT infrastructure”, The Record, 14 October 2022, accessed on 02 November 2022, available from: https://therecord.media/indian-energy-company-tata-power-announces-cyberattack-affecting-it-infrastructure/
^[2] “CERT-In and Power-CSIRTs jointly conduct Cyber Security Exercise ‘PowerEX-2022”, Press Information Bureau- Ministry of Electronics & IT, 13 October 2022, accessed on 01 November 2022, available from: https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1867348
^[3] “Press Release”, Central Bureau of Investigation, 04 October 2022, accessed on 02 November 2022, available from: https://cbi.gov.in/press-detail/NTI3Ng==
^[4] “Press Release”, Ministry of Electronics and IT, 29 October 2022, accessed on 01 November 2022, available from: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1871840
^[5] “Press Release”, Ministry of External Affairs, 29 October 2022, accessed on 01 November 2022, available from: https://mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/35840/Delhi_Declaration_on_countering_the_use_of_new_and_emerging_technologies_for_terrorist_purposes ; Majeed, Zaini. “UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Adopts Delhi Declaration; Key Takeaways Here”, Republic World, 29 October 2022, accessed on 01 November 2022, available from: https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/rest-of-the-world-news/united-nations-counter-terrorism-committee-adopts-delhi-declaration-articleshow.html
^[6] Antoniuk, Daryna. “cyberattack on observatory in Chile raises concerns about security of space tech”, The Record, 07 November 2022, accessed on 10 November 2022, available from: https://therecord.media/cyberattack-on-observatory-in-chile-raises-concerns-about-security-of-space-tech/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email ; “Chilean astronomical observatory hit by cyberattack”, SC Media, 08 November 2022, accessed on 10 November 2022, available from: https://www.scmagazine.com/brief/breach/chilean-astronomical-observatory-hit-by-cyberattack
^[7] Antoniuk, Daryna. “cyberattack disrupts Bulgarian government websites over ‘betrayel to Russia’”, The Record, 18 October 2022, accessed on 02 November 2022, available from: https://therecord.media/cyberattack-disrupts-bulgarian-government-websites-over-betrayal-to-russia/
^[8] Arghire, Ionut. “New Chinese cyberespionage group WIP19 targets telecos, IT service providers”, SecurityWeek, 13 October 2022, accessed on 09 November 2022, available from: https://www.securityweek.com/new-chinese-cyberespionage-group-wip19-targets-telcos-it-service-providers
^[9] “Turkey’s parliament adopts media law jailing those spreading ‘disinformation’”, Reuters, 14 October 2022, accessed on 08 November 2022, available from: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/law-that-would-jail-those-spreading-disinformation-progresses-turkey-2022-10-13/
^[10] Bozkurt, Abdullah. “Turkey helped Pakistan set up a secret cyber army for influence operation against US, India”, Nordic Monitor, 24 October 2022, accessed on 31 October 2022, available from: https://nordicmonitor.com/2022/10/turkey-helped-pakistan-set-up-a-secret-cyber-army-for-influence-operation-against-us-india/
^[11] “Japan, Australia upgrade security pact against China threat”, CNBC, 23 October 2022, accessed on 16 November 2022, available from: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/23/japan-australia-upgrade-security-pact-against-china-threat.html

Afghanistan

Putin: Forming ‘Truly Inclusive Afghan Govt’ is Priority: Tolo News

Russian President Vladmir Putin said that the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan is a priority for Russia and the countries of the region.Vladmir Putin at the Collective Security Treaty Organization meeting held on Wednesday in Yerevan, Armenia, said that Russia will cooperate to stabilize Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Pakistan to Begin Registration of Afghan Refugees: Tolo News

The Minister for States and Frontier Regions of Pakistan, Talha Mahmood, announced a registration drive for unregistered Afghan refugees in the country, Pakistani media reported. According to Pakistani media reports, the minister said the move will ensure the compilation of complete data of registered and unregistered Afghan refugees as well as those who have gone back to Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Dutch Airstrike of Afghanistan in 2007 Ruled ‘Unlawful’ by Court in the Netherlands: The Khaama Press

A Dutch court found on Wednesday that the bombing of a civilian complex in the central Afghan province of Uruzgan by Dutch forces in June 2007 was “unlawful” and that the Netherlands should compensate for the victims’ losses. Click here to read…

14 People Received Lashes in Eastern Afghanistan for ‘Moral Crimes’: The Khaama Press

The Taliban Head of Information and Culture for the province of Logar, Qazi Rafiullah Samim, told Agence France Presse (AFP) on November 23 that “14 people were sentenced to corporal punishments, 11 of them were men and three were women.” Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Work together to keep 1971 legacy alive: Indian envoy – The Daily Star

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay K Verma has said it is important to work together to keep the legacy of 1971 alive, especially among the younger generations. “That’s a very important task. We should not forget our history,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at the “Maitri Alumni Reunion 2022” held at Old India House yesterday evening. Click here to read…

The Assam factor – Dhaka Tribune

On November 19, 2022, a 55-member parliamentary delegation of Assam arrived in Bangladesh on a four-day visit; Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary led the group. The visit aimed to improve trade and connectivity between Bangladesh and the northeastern states of India. Bangladesh welcomed the delegation team with warm hospitality. This visit enhanced the “Assam Factor” of India-Bangladesh relations. In parallel, Assam’s chief minister again lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for showing zero tolerance against terrorism and extremism. These two gestures again indicated the consolidated India-Bangladesh relations. These incidents have significant implications for both Bangladesh and India as it is an inevitable fact that Assam is a key factor in India-Bangladesh relations. Click here to read…

China ships first batch of coaches for Padma Bridge Rail Link Projec – The Business Standard

The first batch of Chinese-made passenger coaches for the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project was shipped on Thursday (24 November). The shipment was an initial batch of 15 out of the 100 coaches made by CRRC Tangshan Co, and it departed from the Port of Tianjin, reports the Global Times citing China’s Heibei Daily. The coaches, designed to run at a speed of 120 kilometres per hour and with a broad gauge of 1,676mm, will be used in the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project. The 172-kilometre Padma Bridge Rail Link Project is scheduled to be completed in 2024. Passing through the Padma Bridge, the rail link is a vital channel that connects the trans-Asian railway network, and it is expected to greatly promote regional connectivity and the economic development of Bangladesh. Click here to read…

Bhutan

NC adopts UN Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime – Kuensel Online

The National Council unanimously adopted the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) and Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children (TIP) yesterday. All 23 Members of Parliament present in the House voted in favour of the Bill. UNTOC is considered the main international instrument in the fight against transnational organised crimeClick here to read…

Maldives

Maldives to put forward candidatures to the UNSC and ECOSOC – Raajje

Maldives is to put forward candidatures for membership as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the term 2033-2034 and for membership of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), for the term 2027-2029. This decision was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. As such, the ministry revealed that it would be the first time Maldives becomes a member of both principal organs of the UN if successful. Click here to read…

NCGG Receives High Praise From Maldives Government For Its Capacity Building Programme For Maldivian Civil Servants – Orissa Dairy

The Indian delegation led by the Director General of NCGG, Shri Bharat Lal, accompanied by senior officials of the Govt of India, visited the Republic of Maldives from the 19th to 21st of November 2022. They reviewed the ongoing cooperation with the Civil Service Commission of Maldives based on the MoU signed during the State visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2019. As per MoU, in 2019-2024, 1,000 civil servants of Maldives were to be trained. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, a total of 534 civil servants of Maldives were trained in India. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar, a country in turmoil, emerging as key transit hub for wildlife trade – Down To Earth

It is a worrying new development for those engaged in wildlife conservation. Myanmar, a country at the crossroads of south, southeast and east Asia and for long rocked by political turmoil, may be emerging as a key transit hub for illegal wildlife trade (IWT), according to a new report. Live, exotic animals are being smuggled from the country to India’s Northeast for supply to the “growing and thriving exotic pet trade in India”, the report, by the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), has said. Click here to read…

Technical Problems Ground Myanmar’s JF-17 Fighter Jets Bought From China

Most of the newly acquired Chinese and Pakistan-made JF-17 fighter jets that the Myanmar regime has taken delivery of have been grounded due to technical malfunctions, according to analysts and former Myanmar Air Force pilots who monitor the junta’s air capabilities. The JF-17 fighters—lightweight multi-role combat aircraft jointly manufactured by China and Pakistan—that the Myanmar Air Force has added to its fleet have structural cracks and other technical issues, they told The Irrawaddy. Click here to read…

Religious Intolerance in Myanmar – World Religion News

Along the Bay of Bengal and wrapping around the Andaman Sea is the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. It is home to 54 million, with 135 ethnicities. In 2017, there were widespread, well-planned, coordinated and violent attacks against the Rohingya perpetrated by the Burmese military. The military violence continues today and earlier this month extended to the Christian population with the bombing of a Baptist seminary. Click here to read…

Over 370 Indian victims of job rackets rescued from Myanmar – Free Press Journal

Over 370 Indians, who were victims of job rackets, have been rescued from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Indian mission in Yangon, Bangkok and Consulate in Chiang Mai have been actively pursuing these cases of Indians trapped in fake job rackets in Myanmar. “People from India and other places have got lured, got stuck in Myanmar and some in Laos and Cambodia also,” Bagchi said at a media briefing. Click here to read…

India’s Disturbing Ties with Myanmar Junta – The Irrawaddy

On November 22, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) put out a short, three-point press release announcing the working visit of foreign secretary, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, to Myanmar. Without saying too many things, it revealed one thing very unambiguously – as far as the relationship between the Indian government and the junta is concerned, it is business as usual. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal reviewing import ban after IMF prodding – The Kathmandu Post

Nepal is reviewing its seven-month-old import ban on certain products after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) questioned the wisdom of lengthening it since it was hurting trade and the economy. The Washington-based organisation has delayed the second instalment of a $400 million loan to Nepal till February 2023, stating that it had not fulfilled the conditions. Nepal has received $110 million as the first instalment. Click here to read…

Vote count update: NC wins 40 seats; UML 26 and Maoist 12– Khabarhub

Nepali Congress (NC) is still leading as the counting of votes is underway throughout the country. In the initial vote count of the election held on Sunday, Nepali Congress (NC) has taken the lead followed by CPN-UML so far. Till now, NC has won 40 seats and the UML 29. As of now, NC is still leading in 12 constituencies followed by UML, which is leading in 19 constituencies. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which has won seven seats, is leading in one constituency. Likewise, the Unified Socialist Party led by Madhav Kumar Nepal has won 10 seats. Click here to read…

Early trends in Nepal polls project ‘absolute hung’ Parliament

There are indications that none of the existing pre-poll alliances will cross over 50 per cent or 138-benchmark required to form the government in a House of 275. Normally, any two of the three parties —UML, Nepali Congress and the Maoist Centre — together would have formed an alliance to form a government. But this time around, the projection does not seem to be heading in that direction as the UML and Nepali Congress forming a coalition looks unlikely. The Maoist Centre, which has alternatively aligned with these two poles, may not have the decisive size to add to form the majority. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Govt goes by seniority principle for change in command: The Express Tribune

President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday approved a summary sent by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the appointment of Lt-Gen Syed Asim Munir as the next army chief and Lt-Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza as the new Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), ending days of speculations. Click here to read…

PTI dials down rhetoric, hails top military appointments: The Express Tribune

Hailing the appointments of the next army chief and chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the PTI on Thursday hoped that the new leadership of the armed forces would play its role to strengthen the constitutional rights and democracy in the country. Click here to read…

PM Shehbaz leaves for Turkiye on two-day official visit: Dawn

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday left for a two-day official visit, from November 25 to November 27, to Turkiye at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Click here to read…

‘Fiscal constraints hurting Pakistan’s telecom sector’: The News

Pakistan’s telecom sector has been passing through a difficult patch of fiscal constraints, including one of the highest taxation burdens, devaluation of the exchange rate, withdrawal of Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) and other problems, visiting GSMA head of Asia Pacific said on Thursday.
Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Those who cause violence in the name of human rights cannot be protected – President – Daily News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that he will never allow violence and anarchy to prevail under the guise of human rights, adding that if any party engages in such an attempt, the security forces will be used to suppress it completely. Under such circumstances, the President emphasized that everyone from the lower officer of the Army to the rank of Field Marshal is obligated to fulfill their responsibility. President Ranil Wickremesinghe said this delivering a special statement in Parliament yesterday (24). The President further said, “Before I talk about this subject, I must remember two things that I mentioned yesterday. MP Mujibur Rahuman said that three fears have arisen in the President’s mind. I want to tell you that a person cannot have three fears. The three fears occurred in Vishal Mahanuwara. Fear of disease, fear of inhumanity, and fear of death can occur in a group of people. I ask him to listen to the Ratana Sutra to clarify that point. A person never has three fears. Even if there is fear of Marikkar, even if there is fear of Hirunika, and even if there is fear of Rosy, it is not three fears. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka committed to safe, secure Indian Ocean – Minister – Daily News

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC yesterday said Sri Lanka remains committed to safe, secure Indian Ocean and sustainable use of its maritime resources. He said that the X-Press Pearl incident is the worst maritime disaster that Sri Lanka has confronted in modern times. “The vessel was carrying a total of nearly 1,500 containers that included cargo with hazardous substances, in addition to about 325 metric tons of fuel on board. The said disaster is now considered as the largest ship disaster involving plastic pellets, hazardous and noxious materials, in the world”, the Minister said while addressing the 22nd Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers in Dhaka yesterday. Click here to read…

Export-oriented Market Economy, the Way Forward – Daily News

Glancing through the biography of T. S. Jinasena, the founder of the Jinasena Empire, showed that he hinged his life and his success on disciplined adherence to some simple idioms. This article takes three of TSJ’s idioms and applies them to Sri Lanka and our economic development. ‘You must make hay whilst the sun shines’, ‘You must cut your coat according to your cloth’, Beggars can’t be ChoosersClick here to read…

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Urges Turkey to Recognize Govt: Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate’s Spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid called on Turkey to engage in “deep” relations with Islamic Emirate and recognize its government. Mujahid made the remarks in an interview with a Turkish TV channel. Click here to read…

Germany New Admission Programme to Admit 1,000 Afghan Refugees Per Month: The Khaama Press

Under a new admission programme for Afghan refugees, Germany will admit people deemed most at risk following the Taliban takeover last August, the foreign ministry said in a statement Monday. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

PM Hasina inaugurates installation of second reactor of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant: Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday inaugurated the installation of the second and final reactor of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. The reactor pressure vessel was installed at the second unit of the 2,400MW power plant. Click here to read…

MoU on e-visa inked between Bangladesh-UAE: Dhaka Tribune

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a bid to implement ‘e-Visa/e/-TA’ in the capital on Tuesday. Security Services Division under Home Ministry Md Abdullah Al Masud Chowdhury and UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali Abdullah Khaseif Al Hamoudi signed the MoU on behalf of the respective countries with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan in the chair at a program at the conference room of the ministry. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Bhutan becomes a voice of vulnerable mountain countries on the frontlines of climate change – Kuensel Online

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, report 2021 paints an alarming picture of melting Himalayan glaciers in the face of the climate crisis and the strains this is placing on the hundreds of millions of people globally who rely on glaciers for water, agriculture and power. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, ICIMOD, says the Third Pole or High Mountain Asia, which spans Asian 12 countries will continue to warm by at least 1.8 to 2.2 degree Celsius even if the global average temperatures stable at 1.5 degrees over pre-industrial levels and is projected to lose a third of the glacier volume by the end of the century. Click here to read…

Documenting Bhutan’s vanishing cultures – Kuensel Online

The initiative led by Loden Foundation was supported by the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO in South Korea. The documentaries under the initiative captured Lhop Festivals, Local Teeth Healing, Subba and Mongar’s Marriage System, Sang: A Women Festival, Yak Lha, Namkha Namsey Festival, Bjawa Kam Nyaru, Jomja: A Local Cuisine, Story of Pawos, and Mani: The Hymn. Click here to read…

Maldives

No difficulty in paying Maldives’ debt: Finance Minister Ameer – Edition MV

Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer said on Monday that there is no difficulty in repaying the debt the government is under. In response to questions asked by parliament members regarding the economic status of Maldives, Ameer said the nation’s economy is going better than expected. He said that the National Bureau of Statistics had estimated that Maldives’ economy would see a 37 percent improvement by the end of 2021. However, the latest data from the bureau indicate that the economy had improved by 41.6 percent. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar signs Middle Paunglaung Hydropower project with Russia – The Star

Myanmar has signed the Notice to Proceed (NTP) with PTG Energy Company for the development of the Middle Paunglaung Hydropower project, said the Ministry of Electric Power. Union Minister for Electric Power U Thaung Han and Union Minister for Energy Myo Myint Oo who attended the Russian Energy Week International Forum held in Moscow, Russia met with General Director Alexey Yakovlev from Inter RAO-Export Company, which is a major, power Generation Company in Russia. Click here to read…

Lieutenant Colonel Among Over 50 Regime Forces Killed by Myanmar Resistance in Two Days – The Irrawaddy

A military lieutenant colonel was among over 50 regime forces killed by People’s Defense Force groups (PDFs) and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) during their attacks and ambushes on regime targets in the last two days. Incidents were reported in Chin, Shan and Kayah states and Sagaing, Magwe and Yangon regions. Click here to read…

Myanmar’s Democrats Must Strive to Win Over China: Analyst – The Irrawaddy

President Xi Jinping is due to be confirmed as president and CCP general secretary for a third term and head of the powerful Central Military Commission. The 20th national congress of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing runs until October 22. China is a major investor in Myanmar and has important projects as part of the Belt and Road Initiative that will give it access to the Indian Ocean. Xi visited Myanmar in 2020 and signed 33 memorandums of understanding, agreements, exchange letters and protocols with the then National League for Democracy government. Click here to read…

Smuggled drugs from Myanmar worth Rs 31 cr seized in Mizoram, 1 held – Hub Network

With the continuation of seizure of drugs smuggled from Myanmar, the Assam Rifles troopers on Tuesday seized 92,550 highly addictive Methamphetamine tablets worth around Rs 31 crores and arrested one person in this connection in Mizoram, officials said. Click here to read…

UN agencies’ Myanmar PR campaign raises more questions than it answers – Myanmar Now

Faced with growing criticism over their push to normalise relations with Myanmar’s illegal military junta, United Nations agencies have embarked on an effort to justify their actions. Using social media, they have deployed infographics and other tools to demonstrate just how indispensable international aid organisations are in a country wracked with conflict. Click here to read…

Final corruption cases filed against Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi – RFA

Detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s last five remaining cases of corruption were filed at Naypyidaw Prison Court Tuesday, sources close to the court, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, told RFA. The trial is set for next Tuesday and its believed that four witnesses will attend including the plaintiff, Aung Khant, who is an officer of the State Administration Council’s (SAC) Anti-Corruption Commission. Suu Kyi’s lawyers made submissions to the court to examine the recalled witnesses. Click here to read…

Nepal

UML Chair Oli challenges PM Deuba for live debate – The Himalayan Times

Considering the upcoming Provincial Assembly and House of Representatives elections, many have suggested on social media that PM Deuba and Chairman Oli participate in a live debate and Chair Oli has agreed. Posting a status on Facebook this afternoon, former PM Oli said such debates were held in Western countries during elections and said he was ready for it. In the upcoming elections, KP Sharma Oli is contesting from Jhapa Constituency-5. Oli stated that “Many friends on social media have requested to come to the ‘live debate’. Most of them have suggested an agenda-based debate between me and NC Chairman Sher Bahadur Deuba. Click here to read…

Election fever grips Madhes Province – The Himalayan Times

With the November 20 polls for the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly just a month away, election fever has gripped Madhes Province. A few candidates, including independents and the incumbent chief minister, have projected themselves as possible future chief minister of the province. Incumbent Chief Minister Lalbabu Raut had won the last polls from Parsa Constituency-1 B with a margin of 2,975 votes. Click here to read…

Pakistan

President Alvi seeks SC’s opinion on new Reko Diq deal: Dawn

In a voluminous reference submitted to the court on Tuesday, the president also asked the apex court whether the proposed Foreign Investment (Protection and Promotion) Bill 2022, whenever enacted, would be a valid law under the Constitution. Click here to read…

Pakistan sides with Saudi Arabia over its tension with US: The Express Tribune

Saudi Arabia and Russia, which lead the OPEC + cartel, recently decided to cut crude oil supply by 2 million barrels a day in order to avoid a plunge in the oil prices in the international markets because of fear of global economic recession. Click here to read…

US wants ‘sustained action’ from Pakistan against terrorist groups: The News

Talks between the authorities in Islamabad and Washington are routine and part of standard bilateral protocol, said the US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel amid the recent stir in light of President Joe Biden’s statement on Pakistan’s nukes. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Most of the migrants at British Indian Ocean Territory are Sri Lankans – UK: Daily Mirror

Most of the migrants at the British Indian Ocean Territory located in the south Indian Ocean, are Sri Lankans, the British Government said. “There are 127 migrants, most of whom are Sri Lankan nationals, on the British Indian Ocean Territory. 25 are children,” Minister of State – Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Jesse Norman informed UK Parliament. Click here to read…

Supreme Court rules Chinese law firm is not entitled to engage in legal professional work in Sri Lanka: Daily Mirror

The Supreme Court today held that Baqian Law Group Lanka Pvt. Ltd, a Chinese law firm is not entitled in law to engage in any legal professional work within Sri Lanka. Click here to read…

Abstract

Iran has been rattling on account of international sanctions, lack in progress on JCPOA Nuclear deal due to shifting goal posts, economic down turn even as it may have got some respite due to the Russia-Ukraine war in the context of accentuating energy crisis especially in Europe. But Tehran’s domestic scene remains charged and volatile in the aftermath of the death of a young Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini at the hands of the morality police which held and allegedly tortured her due to inappropriate attire. Death to Dictator and public shearing of hair and burning of Hijab became symbols of resistance, identity and independence of women folk even as the Iranian society and even the leadership remain divided on the issue. The Government tried to pass it off the protests as the western devil’s plot and design to destabilize the country. But deep rooted problems from economy to freedom have compounded the situation much more and could be a watershed moment in the Iranian polity and society. Tehran even launched some preemptive strikes on Kurdish Iraqis accusing them of supporting protests.

Iran and Albania broke off diplomatic relations as Tehran was accused of cyber attacks on its security establishment. US imposed some more sanctions.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) was appointed as the Prime Minister which is another step in his rise to be the King in due course as greater powers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia devolve upon him as a de facto ruler.

Egypt and Qatar ties have warmed up even more after the blockade was lifted at the Al Ula summit with MBS’s initiative. Doha is making significant investments in Egypt; hence the visit of President Abdel Fateh el Sisi to Doha acquired greater salience. Qatari Emir in his UN address like several other Arab leaders reiterated support for the Palestinian cause.

Israeli PM Yair Lapid and Turkish President met in New York and agreed to exchange Ambassadors as well as discussed cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean as Ankara offers transit to likely gas pipelines and flows from Israel to Europe. This was the first highest level exchange since 2008.

PM Yair Lapid during his UNGA address spoke of the two state solution to the Palestinian problem as the Israeli Defence Forces continued to pound targets in Palestine and Syria.

At the 77thUNGA, President Erdogan once again raked up the Kashmir issue “India and Pakistan, after having established their sovereignty and independence 75 years ago, they still haven’t established peace and solidarity between one another. This is much unfortunate. We hope and pray that a fair and permanent peace and prosperity will be established in Kashmir” was considered milder after his meeting with PM Modi at Samarkand. India discarded the comments that it does not take into cognisance such statements by irrelevant parties.

India seems to have changed its approach adopting tit for tat policy that was evident during EAM Dr Jaishankar’s meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA when he tweeted ‘”Met FM @MevlutCavusoglu of Turkiye on side-lines of #UNGA. Wide ranging conversation that covered the Ukraine conflict, food security, G20 processes, global order, NAM and Cyprus’. Cyprus has been hanging fire since 1974 Turkish invasion.

Dr Jaishankar among scores of his meetings also met the Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush and “appreciated her perspectives on the evolving situation in Libya.” The situation in Libya continues to be volatile.

I2U2 continues to focus on project delivery and closer engagement. I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA) Sherpas met on the sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York on 20 September. The group expressed its commitment to deepening the economic partnership among the four countries. They took stock of the projects identified under I2U2: (i) setting up of food parks in India and (ii) hybrid Renewable Energy/battery storage project in Dwarka, Gujarat.

PM Modi met Iranian President Raisi on the side-lines of the SCO Summit (Sept 16) in Samarkand. Iran has just joined the SCO as full member. Apart from bilateral, regional, global and status of JCPOA negotiations, the two leaders reviewed the progress in the development of the Shahid Behesti terminal, Chabahar Port and underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation in the field of regional connectivity. Iran is hoping to resume its oil and gas supplies to India in the same manner that she is buying it from Russia. PM invited President Raisi to visit India.

EAM Dr Jaishankar visited Saudi Arabia from August 10-12, to co-chair the inaugural Ministerial Meeting of the Committee on Political, Security, Social and Cultural Cooperation (PSSC), established under the framework of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council, with the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, HH Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The two Ministers undertook a comprehensive review of the entire bilateral relationship and discussed the progress under the four Joint Working Groups of the PSSC Committee, namely i) Political & Consular; ii) Legal & Security; iii) Social & Cultural and iv) Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation. The meetings of these Groups and Senior Officials (at Secretary level) have been held over the past few months. Both sides also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest including their cooperation at the UN, G20 and GCC. He also called on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman apart from meeting Secretary General of GCC among others.

The 14th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Foreign Minister of UAE H.H. Sheikh Abdulla bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on 01 September 2022. Both Ministers expressed happiness at the entry into force of the landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on 01 May 2022 and organization of various activities and events for the effective implementation of the Agreement. Both Ministers reiterated commitment to achieving the goal of USD 100 billion of bilateral trade in the next five years. They also positively assessed the investment partnership between both countries and the growth of UAE investments in India in diverse sectorsin accordance with the Vision Statement made by Pm Modi and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in February, 2022.

More Details ….

Protest in Iran demanding Gender Justice

The death of a 22 year old Iranian Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini on 16 September after her arrest in Tehran by the infamous Morality Police has ignited number of protest throughout the Islamic Republic. Amini during her detention collapsed and fell into coma for three days. Amini’s family has claimed that she faced brutal punishment leading to the death. Iranian authorities in order to deflect criticism have claimed that she suffered from pre-existing conditions. The death has raised questions on Iran’s rigid laws over women’s public conduct including their clothing. Consequently, in response to the death, protest began on Amini’s hometown, Saqqez in Kurdistan province which spread throughout the country.

Iranian government has responded by imposing internet restrictions banning social media and clamping down on protests leading to around 100 deaths. Iran has blamed the US and Israel for igniting the protests calling it a conspiracy.

New US sanctions on Iran

The Joe Biden administration on 9 September imposed restrictions on Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security after reports of cyber-attack in Albania targeting police computer systems. On 29 September, the US launched another round of sanctions promising to impose financial penalties on a regular basis and severely curbing Iranian oil and petro-chemical exports. The new sanctions have targeted ‘front companies’ involved in sale of Iranian petroleum and petro-chemical exports based in India, China, Hong Kong and the UAE. The sanctions entail freezing the assets of these sanctions in the US and prohibitions on the US citizens to carry out business. The US has linked the new sanctions to the failure of JCPOA talks due to continued differences over fundamental issues. Iran has continued to accelerate the nuclear programme including uranium enrichment. Iran at the same time has restarted talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over probe into man-made nuclear particles discovered at nuclear sites. Iran has denied the presence of nuclear particles claiming it as false information spread by Israel.

Iranian strikes in Iraqi Kurdistan

Iranian forces on 28 September carried out missile and drone strikes at bases of a left wing armed opposition group called the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan or KDPI. The Iranian attacks in Koya located 60 km east of Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan led to 13 deaths. The military action has been undertaken in the context of domestic protests following Mahsa Amini’s death. Iranian government has blamed the Iranian-Kurdish separatists of involvement in protests. IRGC has claimed that the operation will continue until threats are thwarted and terrorist group bases are destroyed.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appointed as Prime Minister

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS) has been appointed as the new Prime Minister after cabinet reshuffles ordered by King Salman. The Crown Prince is already the de-facto leader of the state who earlier held portfolios such as Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister. In terms of the current cabinet reshuffle, MBS’ younger brother, Khalid bin Salman was named as Defence Minister. Moreover, according to royal decree, the positions of Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan and Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih were reaffirmed. The appointment of MBS as Prime Minister indicates the slow transition of power in the kingdom.

Parliamentary Election in Kuwait

On 20 September, election for the National Assembly was held in Kuwait. Earlier, on 2 August 2022, Kuwaiti Crown Prince Meshal al-Ahmad dissolved the parliament after months of in-fighting between the National Assembly and the government under Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Sabah. The parliament also passed non-confidence votes on Defence and Foreign Affairs Ministers. The fresh election has led to defeat of several “pro-government” politicians. The Islamic Constitutional Movement affiliated to the Muslim Brotherhood as well as the Shiite bloc has managed to increase its share in the 50 seat assembly. Notably, 305 candidates participated in election as independents since political parties are banned from contesting polls. In terms of female participation, 22 women participated in the election and only two secured victory.

Kuwait’s democratic institutions are fairly active as compared to other Gulf States. The political stability in the country is dependent on cooperation between the government and parliament. In case of stalemates, the Emir often resorts to cabinet reshuffles and dissolution of the parliament.

Egyptian President’s Visit to Doha

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi visited Qatar on 13 and 14 September and met with Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Earlier in June, Qatari Emir had visited Egypt indicating sign of warming ties. Egypt had joined Saudi Arabia to impose economic blockade on Qatar in 2017 for their alleged support towards terrorist groups and close ties with Iran. Domestically within Egypt, Qatar had backed the Muslim Brotherhood led government that ruled the state briefly between 2012 and 2013. Doha was critical of the military coup led by El-Sisi that banned Muslim Brotherhood and led to mass arrests and deaths of its supporters. Qatar based news channel, Al Qaeda has been highly critical of Egyptian government’s harsh treatment of civil society members, human rights activists, opposition figures etc. and number of its journalists have been languishing in Egyptian jails for years.

The recent bonhomie has occurred after Saudi Arabia lifted the blockade in 2021. In the background of Russia-Ukraine war, Qatar has helped Egypt to overcome the food crisis and in March 2022, it pledged to invest around US$ 5 billion. Qatar Energy also announced agreement with ExxonMobil to acquire 40 percent stake in gas exploration block in Mediterranean Sea. During the current visit, both states signed three MOUs including close cooperation between their respective sovereign wealth funds.

Israeli airstrikes in Syria

Israeli forces on 6 September carried out airstrike on Aleppo Airport damaging the runway and putting it out of service. IDF had earlier attacked the airport on 31 August partially damaging the facility. The Israeli raids destroyed the warehouses belonging to Iran backed fighters. Syrian Transport Ministry after the 6 September attack was forced to divert all flights from Aleppo to the international airport in Damascus.

Israel has carried out number of attacks in areas under the control of Bashar Al Assad government. Israel has refused to divulge details about these operations. It however acknowledged that strikes have been conducted against Iran allied fighters including Hezbollah.

Israeli Raids in West Bank

Israeli forces have carried out number of military raids in occupied West Bank in September 2022. On 6 September, Israeli Defense Force (IDF) blew up an apartment in Jenin belonging to the family of Raed Hazem, responsible for killing three Israelis in April 2022. In Nablus, two Palestinians were killed on 24 and 25 September. Israeli forces also shot dead one Palestinian and 16 others. Israeli forces on 28 September killed four Palestinians and injured 44 others during a military raid on a refugee camp in Jenin. Reportedly, three out of the four casualties were members of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade.

The death of a seven year old Palestinian child on 29 September has re-ignited public uproar about the treatment by Israeli forces towards Palestinians. The Palestinian boy, Rayan Suleiman was chased by Israeli soldiers while walking home from school. Suleiman during the chase suffered from cardiac arrest leading to his death. The European Union (EU) expressed shock over the death and the US State Department called for investigation. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has ruled out use of violence arguing that only one officer went to Suleiman’s house after spotting children throwing stones. Palestinians came out in large numbers throughout West Bank condemning Israel’s military tactics. There were also reports of confrontation between Israeli forces and Palestinians in Tequa.

Turkey and Israeli leaders meeting since 2008

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid held discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on 20 September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. It was the first high level meeting since 2008. The relationship had nosedived after 2008-2009 Israel Gaza war and 2010 attack by Israeli forces on Turkish flotilla carrying humanitarian aid towards Gaza. President Erdogan has regularly utilized the subject of Palestinian suffering to increase his domestic and regional legitimacy. Turkey also had been vocal in condemning Israeli actions in West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Turkey eventually agreed to restore full diplomatic relations with Israel in August 2022. During the meeting in New York, both leaders discussed about energy cooperation, intelligence sharing and Russia-Ukraine war. Israel also appointed Irit Lillian as the new Ambassador to Turkey on 20 September 2022.