Afghanistan

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lithium: China’s Afghanistan design – The New Indian

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

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

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

Bangladesh

Keep economy in mind – Daily Star

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

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

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

Big Powers Battle for Influence in Bangladesh – Diplomat

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

Bhutan

BKP deregisters with ECB – Kuensel

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

Steep decline in winter tourist arrivals – Kuensel

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

Maldives

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

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

Myanmar

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nepal

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

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

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

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

Pakistan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sri Lanka

President tells UNP to prepare for an election – Daily News

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

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

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

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

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

Afghanistan

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

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

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

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

Iran Seeks Commitment to Water Treaty – Tolo News

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

Bangladesh

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

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

Initiatives should be inclusive – Daily Star

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

How the Bangladesh economy might fare in 2023 – TBS

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

Bhutan

Parties in search of female candidates – Kuensel

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

Maldives

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

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

Myanmar

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

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

Myanmar: Japan’s Construction Aid Benefits Junta – HRW

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

Myanmar plunges deeper into economic crisis – East Asia Forum

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

Nepal

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

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

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

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

Pakistan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sri Lanka

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

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

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

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

Anatomy of sovereign insolvency of Sri Lanka – Daily FT

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

Afghanistan

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

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

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

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

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

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

Russia accuses US of sponsoring ISIS in Afghanistan– Pakistan Observer

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

Bangladesh

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

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

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

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

Presidential election by February 23 – Daily Star

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

Bhutan

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

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

India and Bhutan foreign secretaries inaugurate projects – Kuensel

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

12th Plan talks fruitful, says PM – Kuensel

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

Maldives

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

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

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

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

Myanmar

Myanmar Resistance Targets More Junta Election Offices – The Irrawaddy

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

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

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

Myanmar sees growth in contraband goods seizures in 2022 – Mizzima

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

Myanmar Junta Airstrike Targets Ceasefire Signatory – The Irrawaddy

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

Nepal

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

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

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

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

Pakistan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sri Lanka

India to Hike Development Assistance To Sri Lanka – Outlook

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

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

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

Economic Downturn and External Role – Daily News

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

Afghanistan

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

Mamundzayjan19v30 – The Times of India

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

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

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

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

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

US Launches Private Refugee Sponsorship Prgram – The Khaama Press

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

Bangladesh

Bangladesh universal health coverage indicators better than Pakistan – The Print

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

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

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

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

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

Bhutan

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

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

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

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

Maldives

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

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

Maldives polls, India’s concerns – The Indian Express

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

Myanmar

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nepal

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pakistan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sri Lanka

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

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

The inevitable geopolitical lens in Sri Lanka – The Hindu

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

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

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

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

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

NATIONAL

Minister for Electronics and IT launched ‘Stay Safe Online’ campaign & ‘G20 Digital Innovation Alliance’ as part of Bharat’s G20 Presidency.

On 28 December 2022, the Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Communications and Railways— Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the ‘Stay Safe Online’ campaign and the ‘G20 Digital Innovation Alliance’ (G20-DIA). Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is the nodal ministry for the G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) and has represented Bharat in numerous working groups and ministerial sessions during previous presidencies. In Bharat’s tenure of G20 Presidency, MeitY will focus on three areas— i) Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), ii) Cyber Security, and iii) Digital Skill Development (DSD).

Addressing the event, the Minister said, “Bharat [India] believes in the philosophy of inclusion. Bharat’s population scale and open source ‘public digital platforms’ such as UPI and Aadhaar have delivered economic and social inclusion and spurred innovation. The two campaigns launched today have the humanitarian way of thinking.”

The objective of the ‘Stay Safe Online’ campaign is to raise awareness among Internet users about how to stay safe while surfing the web. This campaign will make citizens of all ages, particularly children, students, women, senior citizens, the disabled, teachers, faculty, Central/State Government officials, and others, aware of the cyber risk and how to deal with it. To reach a wider audience, the campaign will be carried out in Hindi, English, and local languages. ^[1]

MoS for Electronics and IT held public consultation with over 200 stakeholders on the DPDP Bill 2022

On 23 December 2022, the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship— Rajeev Chandrasekhar met over 200 stakeholders to discuss and deliberate on the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill 2022. Public consultations were open until 02 January 2023. The attendees included representatives from industry, think-tanks, law firms, consumer and citizen rights group. “Bill will act as a kinetic enabler for personal data protection while catalysing data led innovation and start-up ecosystem. Post the bill, the intermediaries will have to go for deep behavioural changes, and it will no longer be business as usual for them,” said MoS Chandrasekhar.

The stakeholders made numerous suggestions regarding various clauses of the Bill, such as the penalty regime for data fiduciaries, obtaining parental consent for children, cross-border data flows, and consent managers and how the government intends to regulate them, among many others. The Minister also clarified the deemed consent clause for government data access. ^[2]

“Bharat (India) will chart its own course on the future of Internet”: MoS Chandrasekhar

Speaking at a session at the India Global Forum held in Dubai, UAE, on 14 December 2022, the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship— Rajeev Chandrasekhar said over 820 million Internet users deserve to have their own way to decide what kind of internet they want. “European GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is considered a gold standard for privacy and data protection. But we [Bharat] would like to disagree. With more than 820 million internet users, we have the largest presence on global internet and deserve an opportunity to shape our own destiny. We will chart our own course and build a framework suitable for us,” said MoS Chandrasekhar.

On Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill 2022, the Minister said that “protecting the digital rights of our citizens is an obligation of the Government. But we do not see this as a binary at the expense of slowing down the ecosystem for innovation that exists in India (Bharat) and in partnerships with other countries. The Government would not strongly regulate the Internet but is committed to the principles of open, safe, trusted and accountable internet.” ^[3]

CERT-In issued advisory on multiple vulnerabilities in Apple iOS and iPdOS

On 15 December 2022, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issued an advisory on multiple vulnerabilities reported in Apple iOS and iPadOS which could allow remote attacker(s) to gain access to sensitive information, execute arbitrary code, spoof the UI, gain elevated privileges, bypass security restrictions or cause denial of service conditions on the targeted system. The vulnerabilities exists in the Accounts, Apple Mobile File Integrity, Core Services, GPU Services, among other components of Apple iOS and iPadOS.

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow the attacker(s) gain access to sensitive information, execute arbitrary code, spoof the UI, and bypass security restrictions on the targeted system. ^[4]
As solutions, the advisory suggests users to apply appropriate software updates as mentioned in Apple’s security updates at: Click here to read…

Tata Group to invest USD 90 billion over 5 years into chip manufacturing in Bharat

In an interview with Nikkei Asia on 08 December 2022, the Tata Sons chairman— Natarajan Chandrasekaran informed the Tata Group plans to begin production of Semiconductors in Bharat in next few years, in order to make the country an essential part of global chip supply chains. Tata Group already have announced a semiconductor design and development partnership with Renesas Electronics, Japan, in June 2022.

According to the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association, the semiconductor market will more than double to USD 64 billion between 2021 and 2026. The ongoing ‘disengagement’ between the United States and China in chip-related technology is causing major chipmakers to seek more diverse supply-chain locations. The Government of India and Tata Group are both looking to capitalise on this shift in order to position Bharat as a new semiconductor hub. The chairman also announced a USD 90 billion investment over the next five years as part of that effort. Aside from semiconductors, the company is in the process of launching new businesses such as electric vehicle (EV) and EV battery production, renewable energy production, and the development of ‘super apps’ that allow users to purchase goods and services ranging from groceries to financial products. ^[5]

Since 2018, stolen data of 6,00,000 Indians sold on Bot markets, claimed study by Nord VPN

According to the study conducted by one of the world’s largest VPN service providers— NordVPN, since 2018, around five million people worldwide, including 6,00,000 Indians, had their data stolen and sold on the Bot market. Bot markets are used by hackers to sell stolen data from victims’ devices with bot malware. The stolen data included user logins, cookies, digital fingerprints, screenshots and other information, with the average price for the digital identity of a person at ₹490 Indian rupees (USD 6.03/USD 1=₹81.14).

As reported by The Times of India, a week after the ransomware attack on AIIMS in November 2022, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) faced around 6,000 hacking attempts within 24 hours. ^[6]
Bharat’s cybersecurity rules have tightened in 2022, with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) requiring tech companies to report data breaches within six hours of noticing such incidents and to maintain IT and communications logs for six months. ^[7]

INTERNATIONAL

Hackers claimed to stole data from multiple electric utilities in a ransomware attack in the US

An unidentified group of hackers claimed to stole data belonging to multiple electric utilities of US government contractor, in a ransomware attack held in October 2022. In a memo distributed to power company executives in December 2022 by the North American Grid Regulator’s Cyber-Threat Sharing Centre, it is stated that while private investigators searched the Dark Web for stolen data, US Federal officials kept an eye on the incident for any potential wider effects on the US power sector.

An engineering firm— Sargent & Lundy, with offices in Chicago, was the target of the ransomware attack. The company has designed over 900 power plants and thousands of kilometres of power lines, and holds sensitive project data. According to the memo shared by the Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Centre, there is no indication that the “model files” and “transmission data” that Sargent & Lundy used for utility projects, which were stolen, are available on the Dark Web. ^[8]

LockBit ransomware gang claimed cyber-attack on Port of Lisbon Administration

On 25 December 2022, LockBit ransomware gang carried out a cyber-attack on Port of Lisbon Administration (APL) and claimed to steal financial reports, audits, budgets, cargo information, ship logs, customer PII (personal identifiable information), and more. According to the statement released by APL, “cyber-attack did not impact the port’s operations. All safety protocols and response measures provided for this type of occurrence were quickly activated, the situation being monitored by the National Cybersecurity Center and the Judicial Police.”

The ransomware gang demanded the ransom of USD 15,00,000 and also gave the possibility to delay the publication of the data by 24 hours by paying USD 1,000. The LockBit gang is currently at the third version of their encryptor that powers the notorious RaaS (Ransomware as a Service) project, and one of the most prolific gangs of 2022. ^[9]

International Police shut down 48 DDoS-for-hire services, arrested 07 alleged administrators

The Europol, on 15 December 2022, announced that the International Police shut down around 48 popular websites, mainly Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS), that allowed paying users to launch DDoS attacks, and arrested seven alleged administrators of these websites. According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the accused disguised their sites as services that could be used for network testing but actually sought money for conducting DDoS operations against educational institutions, government agencies, gaming platforms, and millions of individuals worldwide. DDoS function by flooding websites with spam traffic, rendering them inaccessible.

The Operation— “Power Off” operation was carried out by law enforcement authorities in the US, the UK, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands. According to the DOJ, the takedown occurred less than two weeks before the Christmas holiday, which normally results in a large rise in DDoS attacks across the gaming sector. ^[10]

US extended ban on military and surveillance tech sales to China

On 15 December 2022, the US administration extended a ban on commercial exports of advanced US technology that it said “aids Beijing’s military and hypersonic programs and enables Human Rights violations. The decisions come a month after US President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Bali to try to put a “floor” under the relationship’s downward spiral. The Chinese government has accused the US administration of abusing export regulations in order to wantonly hinder and handicap Chinese firms and keep its sci-fi hegemony.

The Entity List includes 36 Chinese firms that are effectively prohibited from getting US technology. All but one, a Chinese subsidiary based in Japan, are based in China. Significantly, 21 of the newly listed corporations are also subject to a new regulation— Foreign Direct Product Rule (FDPR), which prohibits foreign companies from selling to Chinese entities anything manufactured with American technology or equipment. ^[11]

US National Cyber Director visited Japan to bolster digital cooperation

In December 2022, the United States’ National Cyber Director— Chris Inglis visited Japan to advise government officials posted there on strengthening cyber security defences. The visit was an effort to improve cyber security cooperation with a key alley (Japan) in Asia amid a strained relationship between the US and China. According to Mark Montgomery, former executive director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) and current director of the Centre on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CTI) at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), the Biden administration wants to encourage all friendly nations to speed up their investments in cybersecurity. “Boosting cybersecurity collaboration with Japan is crucial for the US amid increasing cyber threats from China, North Korea, and Russia,” said Atlantic Council Cyber Statecraft Initiative Program Assistant Jen Roberts. ^[12]

Endnotes :

^[1] “Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw launches ‘Stay Safe Online’ Campaign and ‘G20 Digital Innovation Alliance’ as part of India’s G20 Presidency”, Press Information Bureau- Ministry of Electronics and IT, 28 December 2022, accessed on 02 January 2023, available from: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1887114
^{[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]}

DEFENCE

• MALABAR 22 culminates.
• Mr Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of Navy, US on a five day official visit to India.
• Raksha Mantri (RM) Shri Rajnath Singh attends ASEAN Defence Ministers Plus meeting & India-ASEAN Defence Ministers meeting.
• Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2022 (IPRD).
• Raksha Mantri & his Cambodian counterpart co-chair maiden India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Siem Reap.
• RM holds bilateral meeting with US Secretary of Defence Mr Lloyd Austin in Cambodia.
• Bilateral joint training Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI with Indonesian Special Forces.
• DRDO’s Compendium on Low Intensity Conflict Products Released.
• Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise ‘Samanvay 2022’.
• 13th Edition of the Indian Navy (IN) – Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) bilateral exercise ‘Naseem Al Bahr’ (Sea Breeze).
• 4th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue.
• “AUSTRA HIND 22”.
• India – Malaysia joint military exercise.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Africa

Chad

• In a surprise attack, Boko Haram terrorists killed at least 40 Chadian soldiers.

Somalia

• At least 08 people were killed in a terror attack on a hotel by al-Shabaab in Mogadishu.

Pakistan

• Suicide bombing killed a police officer and two civilians in Balochistan province.

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

• NIA Special Court sentenced six terrorists in ‘JeM conspiracy’ case.
• Security forces arrested a LeT terrorist from Jammu.
• “Three districts of the UT of J&K are ‘terrorist-free’,” claimed ADGP (Kashmir).
• Police filed chargesheet against HM chief Syed Salahuddin in 10-years old threat case.

Left-Wing Extremism

• Security forces eliminated two Maoists in Odisha.

Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)

• NIA Special Court pronounced sentence in ‘JMB Bengaluru’ case.
• NIA filed supplementary chargesheet against a HM OGW in a criminal conspiracy case.

Khalistan-inspired Extremism

• NIA arrested an absconding terrorist from Delhi IGI Airport.

Organised Crime

• NIA conducted searches at multiple locations in connection with Organised Crime network.
• NIA arrested Lawrence Bishnoi in a case related to connection between Organised Crime network and various terrorist outfits.

DEFENCE

MALABAR 22 culminates.

The 26th edition of the multinational maritime exercise MALABAR 22 culminated in the seas off Japan on 15 November 2022. This edition also marked the 30th anniversary of the exercise and was hosted by the JMSDF. The Indian Navy was represented by ships Shivalik and Kamorta. Malabar series of exercises began in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between the navies of India and US and gained further prominence with joining of the navies of Australia and Japan.

The sea phase of MALABAR 22 was conducted over a period of five days near Yokosuka and witnessed live weapon firings, surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare drills and tactical procedures. Another highlight of the sea phase was the conduct of War at Sea exercise which enabled all four navies to consolidate interoperability and hone their tactical skills. The high-tempo exercise saw the participation of eleven surface ships including a nuclear powered aircraft carrier with its integral air elements, alongwith four long-range maritime patrol aircraft, integral helicopters and two submarines.
For more information: Click here to read…

Mr Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of Navy, US on a five day official visit to India.

Mr Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of Navy, US was on a five day official visit to India from 17-21 Nov 22. Interactions during the visit included those with Adm R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff and high ranking GoI officials in New Delhi. Mr Carlos Del Toro made a visit to Indian Navy’s Southern Naval Command at Kochi, wherein interacted with the Commander-in-Chief SNC and visited India’s first indigenous Aircraft Carrier, INS Vikrant at Cochin Shipyard.
India and USA have traditionally maintained close and friendly relations. The Defence relationship between the two countries has been one of mutual trust and confidence, which has transformed after the accord of major ‘Defence Partner Status’ to India in Jun 16. In addition, both countries have concluded certain foundational agreements, including the Defence Framework Agreement, signed in 2015, which lays a blue print for collaboration between the defence establishments of both countries, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) signed in 2016, which is a foundational agreement facilitating reciprocal logistics support between the Armed Forces of both countries, the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) signed on 06 Sep 18, which facilitates information-sharing between the Armed Forces of both nations and more recently, the Basic Exchange Cooperation Agreement (BECA), which enables sharing of geo – spatial information between Ministry of Defence and National Geospatial Agency (NGA), USA.
For more information: Click here to read…

Raksha Mantri (RM) Shri Rajnath Singh attends ASEAN Defence Ministers Plus meeting & India-ASEAN Defence Ministers meeting.

At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Cambodia Samdech Pichey Sena TEA Banh, Raksha Mantri will pay an official visit to Cambodia from November 22-23, 2022. Cambodia, as the chair of ASEAN Defence Ministers Plus (ADMM Plus) meeting is hosting the 9th annual meeting at Siem Reap, Cambodia and the Raksha Mantri will address the forum on November 23, 2022. He will also call on the Prime Minister of Cambodia.

To commemorate 30 years of India-ASEAN relations, India and Cambodia will co-chair the maiden India-ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting on November 22, 2022, presided over by Shri Rajnath Singh. Various initiatives to boost India-ASEAN partnership are planned to be announced during the meeting.

India became the dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992 and the inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Hanoi, Vietnam on October 12, 2010. Since 2017, ADMM-Plus Ministers have been meeting annually to further the dialogue and cooperation amongst ASEAN and the Plus countries. India and ASEAN have elevated their relationship to ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ in November 2022. Apart from the ADMM-Plus meeting and India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting, the Raksha Mantri will hold bilateral discussions with Defence Ministers of the participating countries. During the talks, Shri Rajnath Singh will discuss defence cooperation matters and ways to further strengthen the mutually beneficial engagements.
Reference: Click here to read…

Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2022 (IPRD).

The IPRD is an apex level international annual conference of Indian Navy, and is principal manifestation of Navy’s engagement at the strategic-level. The fourth edition of IPRD was held from 23 to 25 Nov 22. The theme of IPRD-2022 was ‘Operationalising the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)’. The six thematically-arranged sessions of the IPRD-2022 are: (1) Weaving the Fabric of Holistic Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific: Multilateral Options: (2) Constructing Holistic-Security Bridges across the Western and Eastern Maritime Expanse of the Indo-Pacific; (3) Building maritime Connectivity: Ports, Trade, and Transport; (4) Capacity-building and Capability Enhancement Leveraging the Physical and Social Sciences; (5) Practical approaches to a Regional Blue Economy; (6) Disaster Risk-reduction and Management; Solutions for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Vulnerable Littoral States.
For more information: Click here to read…

Raksha Mantri & his Cambodian counterpart co-chair maiden India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Siem Reap.

The maiden India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting was held on 22 November 2022 at Siem Reap, Cambodia to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of India-ASEAN relations in 2022, which has also been designated as ‘ASEAN-India Friendship Year’. During this maiden India-ASEAN Defence Ministers meeting, Shri Singh proposed two major initiatives for further expanding the scope and the depth of the India-ASEAN defence relations. One of the initiatives proposed by Raksha Mantri was the ‘India-ASEAN Initiative for Women in UN Peace Keeping Operations’ which includes conduct of tailor-made courses for women peacekeepers of ASEAN Member States at the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping in India and conduct of a ‘Table Top Exercise’ in India for women officers from ASEAN incorporating facets of UN peacekeeping challenges. The Raksha Mantri underlined the importance of women officers in peacekeeping missions for ensuring lasting peace.
For more information: Click here to read…

RM holds bilateral meeting with US Secretary of Defence Mr Lloyd Austin in Cambodia.

RM held a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of Defence Mr Lloyd Austin in Siem Reap, Cambodia on22 Nov 2022. Shri Rajnath Singh and Mr Lloyd Austin are in Cambodia to attend the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus meeting. The Raksha Mantri was accompanied by Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and other senior officials of Ministry of Defence. The two Defence Ministers discussed wide range of issues of mutual interest while expressing their commitment to a strong India-US defence cooperation. RM emphasised the need for both countries to work together for capability building in critical domains such as military aviation, artificial intelligence and cyber technology. The RMlooked forward to building a roadmap towards greater defence industrial collaboration between India and US. He highlighted India’s growing expertise in aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and ship-building, repairs and refits and suggested specific areas where US defence companies can look for technology cooperation and manufacturing opportunities with Indian partners in India. Secretary Austin welcomed the suggestions and assured Raksha Mantri of cooperation in this regard.

The two leaders expressed their commitment towards an inclusive and rules-based Indo Pacific with freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded trade. They further discussed initiatives that can be taken to strengthen maritime cooperation between the two countries including in maritime domain awareness.
For more information: Click here to read…

Bilateral joint training Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI with Indonesian Special Forces.

As part of military-to-military exchange programs, a contingent of Indian Special Forces troops are currently engaged in a bilateral joint training Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI with Indonesian Special Forces at Sangga Buana Training Area, Karawang, Indonesia. Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI is the eighth edition of the series of bilateral exercises under this banner. The exercise which commenced on 21 November 2022 aims at enhancing understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the Special Forces of both armies. The joint training would also focus on a high degree of physical fitness, tactical drills, techniques and procedures for which a comprehensive 13-day training programme has been worked out.
For more information: Click here to read…

Defence Research and Development Organistion’s (DRDO) Compendium on Low Intensity Conflict Products Released.

DRDO’s Compendium on Low Intensity Conflict (LIC) Products was released on 23 Nov 2022. In line with the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” campaign of the Government of India, the compendium consists of more than 100 technologies, systems and products developed by DRDO for LIC operations. It is a valuable repository of information for the central security forces.
For more information: Click here to read…

Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise ‘Samanvay 2022’.

Indian Air Force is conducting the Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise ‘Samanvay 2022’ from 28 November 2022 to 30 November 2022 at Air Force Station Agra. With an aim to assess the efficacy of institutional Disaster Management structures and contingency measures, the exercise will comprise a seminar on Disaster Management, a ‘Multi Agency Exercise’ involving static and flying displays of various HADR assets and a ‘Table Top Exercise’. This multi-agency engagement is expected to contribute in the evolution of institutional frameworks for effective communication, interoperability, cooperation and their application for successful conduct of HADR. Along with involvement of various stakeholders from the country, the exercise will see participation by representatives from the ASEAN countries as well.
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13th Edition of the Indian Navy (IN) – Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) bilateral exercise ‘Naseem Al Bahr’ (Sea Breeze).

The Indian Navy’s guided missile stealth frigate, INS Trikand, offshore patrol vessel, INS Sumitra, and Maritime Patrol Aircraft, (MPA) Dornier, participated in the 13th Edition of the Indian Navy (IN) – Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) bilateral exercise ‘Naseem Al Bahr’ (Sea Breeze). The exercise was conducted from 19 to 24 Nov 22 off the coast of Oman.
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4th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh co-chaired the 4th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue with the Minister of Armed Forces of the French Republic Mr. Sebastien Lecornu on his visit to India from 26-28 November, 2022. The visiting French Minister shall also meet External Affair Minister and the National Security Advisor. This is the first visit of Mr Sebastien Lecornu as French Minister of Armed Forces to India. The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere. A wide range of bilateral, regional, defence and defence industrial cooperation issues were discussed in the dialogue.

The Ministers reviewed the ongoing military-to-military cooperation which has increased substantially in the recent years. They discussed means to strengthen maritime cooperation and increase the scope and complexity of bilateral exercises. They noted with satisfaction that India and France recently held their bilateral Air Exercise ‘Garuda’ at Air Force Station, Jodhpur successfully.

During the dialogue, one of the key areas of discussion was defence industrial cooperation with a focus on ‘Make in India’. Future collaborations and potential co-production opportunities were discussed. The Ministers agreed that the technical groups from both the countries should meet early next year and take the key cooperation issues forward.
The Ministers recognised their convergences on number of strategic & defence issues and shared the commitment to work together on enhancing cooperation in bilateral, regional and multilateral fora, with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region. France is the current chair of Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and both countries cooperate closely in these fora.
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“AUSTRA HIND 22”.

The bilateral training exercise “AUSTRA HIND 22” between contingents of the Indian Army and the Australian Army is scheduled to take place at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges (Rajasthan) from 28 November to 11 December 2022. This is the first exercise in the series of AUSTRA HIND with participation of all arms and services contingent from both armies. The Australian Army contingent comprising soldiers from the 13th Brigade of the 2nd Division has arrived at the exercise location. The Indian Army is represented by troops from the DOGRA Regiment. Exercise “AUSTRA HIND” will be a yearly event that will be conducted alternatively in India and Australia. Aim of the exercise is to build positive military relations, imbibe each other’s best practices and promote the ability to operate together while undertaking multi-domain operations in Semi deserts terrain under a UN peace enforcement mandate.
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India – Malaysia joint military exercise.

India – Malaysia joint military Exercise “Harimau Shakti -2022” commenced at Pulai, Kluang, Malaysia on 28th November and will culminate on 12th December 22. Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI is an annual training event between the Indian and Malaysian Army which is being conducted since 2012. Combat-experienced troops of the GARHWAL RIFLES Regiment of Indian Army and the Royal Malay Regiment of the Malaysian Army are participating in the exercise this year to share experiences gained during operations in order to enhance inter-operability in planning & execution of various operations in jungle terrain. The scope of this exercise involves a Command Planning Exercise (CPX) at the Battalion level and Company level Field Training Exercise (FTX) on sub-conventional operations in jungle terrain.
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INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Africa

Chad

In a surprise attack, Boko Haram terrorists killed at least 40 Chadian soldiers.

On 22 November 2022, Boko Haram terrorists attacked on a military unit in the Lake Chad province, near the Nigerian border, and killed at least 40 Chadian soldiers. According to the Chadian government, the unit had been dispatched to establish an army outpost on the island of Boukatoullorom, where Boko Haram has been active in recent years. Various reports confirmed that terrorists attacked the unit in successive waves, managing to enter and destroyed the outpost before stealing weapons and ammunition.
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Somalia

At least 08 people were killed in a terror attack on a hotel by al-Shabaab in Mogadishu.

On 27 November 2022, al-Qa’ida affiliated al-Shabaab terrorists attacked Villa Rose Hotel, a popular hotel in Mogadishu and killed at least 08 people. Next day, on 28 November 2022, the Somali security forces concluded the siege. Somali government officials frequently use the Villa Rose Hotel for meetings. “At the time of attack some government officials escaped from windows,” said a police officer on the basis of anonymity.
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Pakistan

Suicide bombing killed a police officer and two civilians in Balochistan province.

On 30 November 2022, a suicide bomb explosion targeted a police vehicle, in which a police official and two civilians were killed, in Buleli district of Quetta in Balochistan. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)/Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility of the attack. “The police vehicle was carrying security personnel deployed to protect polio vaccination campaign workers in Quetta.
In the same attack, at least 24 people, including 20 policemen wounded,” said Quetta Police’s Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) Ghulam Afzar Mahesar. Later, TTP issued a statement stating that “the attack was carried out after the announcement to end ceasefire, and was planned to take revenge for the death of Omar Khalid Khorasani. Our attacks will continue.” Omar Khorasani was a senior TTP leader who was killed in a car bomb blast in Afghanistan in August 2022.
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DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

NIA Special Court sentenced six terrorists in ‘JeM conspiracy’ case.

On 28 November 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court, New Delhi, pronounced sentence convicting six terrorists— i) Sajad Ahmad Khan, ii) Tanveer Ahmed Ganie, iii) Bilal Ahmad Mir, iv) Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat, v) Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat, and vi) Mehraj ud-din Chopan, in Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) conspiracy case. The case— RC-08/2019/NIA/DLI pertains to criminal conspiracy of JeM leaders, mainly Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar (brother of Masood Azhar) to recruit people to carry out terrorist attacks in various parts of India. All terrorists, especially Bilal Mir and Muzaffar Bhat, had carried out recee of targets, arranged shelters, and had provided logistic support to carry out attacks in India. Sajad Khan carried our recee of prime locations as potential targets in Delhi.
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J&K Police arrested a LeT terrorist from Jammu.

On 27 November 2022, police arrested a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist— Faisal Munir, from Talab Khatikan area of Jammu city in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Allegedly, Faisal was in contact with officials at Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, to monitor terror activities in the UT of J&K.

Faisal was the main facilitator for collecting arms dropped through Pakistani drones in various border areas of Jammu, Samba, and Kathua districts. The police also found a hideout of the terrorists inside the Talab Khatikan house of a LeT terrorist which had been erected inside an almirah from where one AK47 rifle, ammunition, and explosives were seized.
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“Three districts of the UT of J&K are ‘terrorist-free’,” claimed ADGP (Kashmir).

On 26 November 2022, the Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP) of Kashmir Zone— Vijay Kumar said that “the Kashmir region, which comprises 13 police districts, has 81 terrorists with 29 being local and 52 are of foreign origin (Pakistan). Three districts— Bandipora, Kupwara, and Ganderbal, are terrorist-free with ‘zero’ local terrorists while Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) have gone headless after security forces eliminated their key operatives and commanders in multiple counter-terrorism (CT) operations.”
“We are very hopeful of eradicating terrorism from Kashmir in next two years,” said ADGP Kumar.
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Police filed chargesheet against HM chief Syed Salahuddin in 10-years old threat case.

On 23 November 2022, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police filed chargesheet against Hizb ul-Mujahideen (HM) chief Mohammad Yusuf Shah aka Syed Salahuddin before National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court, Baramulla, in connection with a case pertaining to threatening Panchs and Sarpanchs for participating in Panchayat elections 10 years ago.
The chargesheet against Salahuddin has been filed under Section 512 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
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Left-Wing Extremism

Security forces eliminated two Maoists in Odisha.

In a gun-battle with security forces, on 24 November 2022, two Maoists were killed in Gandhamardan Hills area in Bolangir district, Odisha. Some arms and ammunition have also been seized from the alleged Maoist camp.
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Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)

NIA Special Court pronounced sentence in ‘JMB Bengaluru’ case.

On 28 November 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court, Bengaluru, pronounced sentence in ‘JMB Bengaluru case’ in which three Jamaat ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operatives— i) Najir Sheikh aka Patla Anas, ii) Habibur Rahman SK, and iii) Mosaraf Hossain, are convicted under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A]. The cases— RC-19/2019/NIA/DLI and RC-15,16,17,18/2020/NIA/DLI pertains to recovery of huge quantities of electronic/electric items, chemical apparatus, containers, etecetra, used for fabrication of bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from the hideout of JMB group in Bengaluru.
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NIA filed supplementary chargesheet against a HM OGW in a criminal conspiracy case.

On 25 November 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a supplementary chargesheet against a Hizb ul-Mujahideen (HM) Over-Ground Worker (OGW)— Danish Naseer, in case related to a criminal conspiracy of carrying out terror attacks in India.
Danish Naseer was an HM OGW, allegedly involved in conspiracy. He transferred an amount of ₹ 30,000 to arrested terrorist Kamruj Zaman to further terror activities of HM.
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Khalistan-inspired Extremism

NIA arrested an absconding terrorist from Delhi IGI Airport.

On 18 November 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Kulwinderjit Khanpuria, associated with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF), from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport upon his arrival from Bangkok. Kulwinderjit had been absconding since 2019. According to investigation report, Kulwinderjit is the chief conspirator behind terror attacks by targeting establishments related to Dera Saccha Sauda and well of Police and Security in Punjab.

Kulwinderjit Khanpuria, along with his handlers and associates in India and other South-East Asian countries, planned and conspired to carry out terrorist attacks in India. Khanpuria was eventually able to flee India. He first collaborated with Harmeet aka PhD, and now with wanted Pakistan-based International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) chief Lakhbir Singh Rode, to use his India-based terrorist associates to target identified individuals and establishments. Khanpuria was declared a Proclaimed Offender (PO) by the NIA Special Court in Punjab, and Interpol issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) and a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against him. The NIA had also announced a ₹ 5 lakh cash reward for information leading to his arrest. On 21 November 2019, he was chargesheeted as absconder.
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Organised Crime

NIA conducted searches at multiple locations in connection with Organised Crime network.

On 29 November 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out search operations at over 13 locations in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Union Territory of Chandigarh, and Delhi/NCR region. The search operations were to dismantle and distrupt the emerging Organised Crime nexus between terrorists, gangsters, and drug traffickers based in India and abroad in two connected cases registered in August 2022.

The searches were conducted at the premises of Kaushal Chaudhary, resident of Gurugram, Haryana, Vishal Mann from Prahalpur, Delhi, Binny Gurjar from Sangroor, Punjab, Ravi Rajgarh from Ludhiana, Punjab, and their associates. During the searches, NIA officials recovered incriminating material, including contraband and ammunition. According to preliminary investigation, these gangs were carrying out targeted killings and were raising funds to carry out criminal activities. The Organised Crime members were using cyberspace to propagate their deeds to create terror among public.
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NIA arrested Lawrence Bishnoi in a case related to connection between Organised Crime network and various terrorist outfits.

On 24 November 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Lawrence Bishnoi, from Bathinda Jail in a case related to the conspiracy hatched by various terrorist outfits based in India and abroad, working in nexus with organised crime groups to carryout terror acts and targeted crimes.

Investigations have revealed that the terrorists have an active nexus with drug smugglers and cadres/members of the Organised Crime group led by Lawrence Bishnoi, who has been found involved in commissioning various types of terror/criminal acts, including extortions from businessmen, professionals, doctors, and others, which has caused public fear. Lawrence, along with his brothers— Sachin and Anmol Bishnoi and associates, including Goldy Brar, Kala Jathedi, Kala Rana, Bikram Brar and Sampat Nehra were raising funds to carry out terror/criminal activities through smuggling of drugs and weapons and widespread extortions.
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Afghanistan

Envoys of Over 10 Countries Discuss Afghanistan at Moscow Format: Tolo News

Representatives and officials from more than 10 countries exchanged views on the Afghan situation in the “Moscow Format” meeting on Afghanistan that began on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Doha Office Says Gaining Recognition Takes Time: Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate’s Political Office in Qatar said it considers the recognition of the Islamic Emirate by the international community to be a process that will take time, and that efforts are ongoing to achieve recognition. Click here to read…

SIGAR Assesses Factors Behind the Collapse of Afghan Gov’t: The Khaama Press

The US Special Inspector for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) in a recent report assessed the underlying factors behind the collapse of former Afghan government in 2021, listing at least nine factors that led to Taliban’s regime in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Russia’s Multilateral Talks on Afghanistan Opens without Taliban: The Khaama Press

Sputnik reported that there are 11 countries represented at this meeting, including Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. At a news conference in Moscow, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that the discussion will center on the military-political, socioeconomic, and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan as well as coordinating measures to bolster regional security. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Lavrov’s Dhaka visit: Dhaka to focus on food, energy supply, Rohingya crisis – The Daily Star

Lavrov will visit Bangladesh to attend the 22nd Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) meeting on November 23-24 to be held at Hotel InterContinental at the invitation of Bangladesh, the current chair of IORA. Lavrov, who happily accept the invitation, will also be meeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, officials have confirmed. International relations analysts said Russia faces global isolation. The UN General Assembly has adopted several resolutions since March this year demanding end to the war, territorial integrity of Ukraine and Russia’s reparation for the damages caused by attacks in Ukraine…Bangladesh has abstained from voting in two UNGA resolutions and voted for Ukraine in one…The US and European Union are Bangladesh’s major export destinations and they are supporting Bangladesh in the Rohingya crisis, politically and financially. Click here to read….

Bangladesh seeks Singaporean investment to become ‘connectivity hub’ – The Daily Star

Decribing Singapore as a “connectivity hub” for distribution of services as well as trade, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam yesterday shared the aspirations of Bangladesh to emerge as a facilitator of regional connectivity for the land locked countries and regions of South Asia. Highlighting the need for more investment in infrastructure development, including sea ports and air ports, he sought more Singaporean investments to facilitate Bangladesh’s transition as a regional connectivity and manufacturing hub. Click here to read…

Shahriar Alam: Dhaka, Tokyo relations to be strengthened through PM-level talks – Dhaka Tribune

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Wednesday expressed his optimism that Bangladesh-Japan relations would further be strengthened through the upcoming prime ministers-level meeting in Tokyo. The prime minister is scheduled to pay the official visit to Japan from November 29 to December 1 at the invitation of her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida. Click here to read…

Dhaka to warn diplomats against commenting on internal matters – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh will warn diplomats stationed in Dhaka against making remarks on the country’s internal matters, Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque has said. “We will not tolerate any ambassador’s interference; they will be cautioned again,” the minister said while responding to questions from reporters in Meherpur on Wednesday morning. “Bangladesh is a sovereign nation; we liberated this country through a bloody war. We will not make any concessions when it comes to maintaining the dignity of our country.” The minister’s comments came in light of Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki’s statement on Monday that he had heard about “ballot stuffing” and that some police officers had stuffed ballot boxes the night before the last general election, which was something he had never heard about happening in any other country. Click here to read…

Bhutan

RBI provides an additional currency swap facility of USD 200M to RMA – Kuensel online

RBI and RMA signed an agreement to extend the validity of the Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement signed on January 31, 2020 and also to provide additional swap support to Bhutan, yesterday. This agreement enables the RMA to avail an additional swap amount of up to USD 200M or equivalent in Nu 16.57B from the RBI. This support of USD 200M INR equivalent is in addition to the existing currency swap support of USD 200M INR equivalent extended by the RBI. This agreement was facilitated by the government of India at the request of the government of Bhutan. The agreement will be valid till June 30, 2023. Click here to read…

Japan, Bhutan sign technical cooperation project on digital health – Kuensel online

To improve healthcare services, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) signed a record of discussions in Thimphu for implementation of the project “Strengthening government capacity for using digital technology and data” yesterday. Representatives from the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) and the Ministry of Health (MoH), which will implement the project, attended the signing ceremony. Click here to read…

Bhutan at risk of dropping to Tier 3 of Trafficking in Persons Report – Kuensel online

Since 2020 Bhutan was ranked on Tier 2 Watch List in the Trafficking in Persons Report. This means that the country is not fully compliant but making significant efforts to be compliant to eliminate the severe forms, nature and scope of trafficking. The ranking also risks the country losing loans or aid from multinational financial institutions, according to Home Minister Ugyen Dorji who introduced the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) to the members of the National Council (NC) on November 14. Click here to read…

Maldives

New type of drug smuggled into Maldives – The Edition

Maldives Customs Service seized a new type of drug smuggled into Maldives. Customs found the drug; methorphan while inspecting a box posted through courier from Bahrain. Officials claim that after finding a suspicious substances within the package, they conducted a more thorough investigation. The substance found inside the package were inspected on September 17 and had tested positive for Methorphan, according to Customs. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar releases ex-U.K. ambassador, Australian aide to Suu Kyi from prison

Myanmar’s junta released four foreign prisoners including an Australian aide to Aung San Suu Kyi and a former British ambassador to the Southeast Asian country, according to state media, in what authorities described as an amnesty to mark a national holiday on Thursday. The military government, which took power in a 2021 coup that deposed Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government, will free Australian economist Sean Turnell, Briton Vicky Bowman, Japanese filmmaker Toru Kubota and American Kyaw Htay Oo, the state-run MRTV News channel said. The four will reportedly be deported. Click here to read…

Detained Japanese documentary-maker to return from Myanmar, sources say – Japan Times

A Japanese documentary filmmaker detained in July in Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, was set to return to Japan Thursday after being released, according to sources familiar with the matter. Toru Kubota was sentenced last month to a total of 10 years in prison for violating the immigration law and for sedition and electronic communications-related violations. Click here to read…

Myanmar Will Not Hold an ‘Election’ in August 2023 – The Irrawaddy

An election is understood to mean “a formal and organized choice by vote of a person for a political office or other position.” Myanmar’s junta has claimed it will organize an ‘election’ for August 2023. Don’t call it what it isn’t. The junta’s event, whatever it is and looks like, will in no way be an election. If analysts, media, and diplomats use the term ‘election’, the onus is on them to justify and prove why and how exactly it wasn’t legitimate when in fact it wasn’t even what happened. Click here to read…

Vice President Harris Heads to Asia, Will Discuss Myanmar, South China Sea Disputes – VOA News

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris heads to Thailand this week to promote U.S. economic interests at a regional summit and discuss concerns over an ongoing military crackdown in Myanmar. Harris will deliver remarks at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, a gathering that includes 21 members who push for increasing economic integration and prosperity. Click here to read…

B’desh intelligence officer shot dead by Rohingya drug smugglers on Myanmar border – Hindu Post

An Bangladesh Air Force officer, working at the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), was killed in a gunfight with drug traffickers along the Myanmar border in Bandarban’s Naikkhyangchhari, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said on Tuesday. RAB constable Sohail Barua, who was injured in the firing, has been admitted to the Neurosurgery Department of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital DMCH and has already undergone head surgery, he added. Click here to read…

Nepal

Exports may fall slightly after LDC graduation, report says – The Kathmandu Post

Nepal will be stepping into uncharted territory after it is inducted into the company of middle-income developing countries in 2026, and exporters are beginning to worry about the higher tariffs and stricter rules of origin provisions that will follow. Being a least developed country (LDC) meant Nepal got preferential treatment; but after 2026, it will have to hold its own. And the thought disconcerts many. Click here to read…

Nepal closes Uttarakhand border for three days ahead of polls – Times Now

The Nepal-India border will be closed for three days in advance of the federal and provincial assembly elections in the Himalayan nation on November 20. A meeting of Nepalese and Indian security officials in Rupandehi on Saturday decided to beef up border security and seal the border for three days beginning November 18Click here to read…

‘

Shape up, or ship out’—why Nepal’s young politicians are challenging an ageing establishment – The Print

The current crop of top leaders is quite exceptional in that each has allied with their opponent in the past. Chances are that if neither the Nepali Congress-led coalition—led by Sher Bahadur Deuba and Maoist politician Pushpa Kamal Dahal, or Prachanda—nor the United Marxist Leninist (UML) party of K.P. Oli and Madhesi leader Upendra Yadav’s grouping get a majority, then one or the other weak link in any of the chains may snap and new chains may be created. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Default risk soars amid political turmoil, delay in IMF talks: Dawn

The country’s default risk as measured by five-year credit-default swaps (CDS) — insurance contracts that protect an investor against a default — rose sharply overnight amid political turmoil and uncertainty about talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Click here to read…

Pakistan floods ‘10th costliest disaster’ in a decade: Dawn

THE calamitous Pakistan floods of 2022 were the tenth most expensive climate disaster to have buffeted a nation over the last decade, according to risk modelling firm RMS. The floods inflicted an estimated loss of $3 billion on the country, caused over 1,700 deaths and displaced eight million people. Click here to read…

PTI ‘steps back’ from next COAS appointment issue: The Express Tribune

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Wednesday indicated that his party has now taken a ‘hands-off’ approach to the imminent appointment of a new army chief, saying that it has “taken a step back” on the matter. Click here to read…

Govt lambastes Imran for selling Toshakhana gifts: The Express Tribune

As PTI chief Imran Khan faces fresh allegations of unlawfully selling state gifts, volley after volley of statements from the ruling coalition called out the former prime minister for the abuse of Toshakhana, hinting that criminal proceedings would be initiated as per the Election Commission of Pakistan’s order. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka abstains from UN vote seeking Russian reparations to Ukraine – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka abstained in the UN General Assembly on a draft resolution calling for Russia to be held accountable for violations of international law by its invasion of Ukraine and requiring Moscow to pay reparations to Kyiv for damages, loss and injury resulting from the war. The draft resolution, ‘Furtherance of remedy and reparation for aggression against Ukraine’, introduced by Ukraine was adopted Monday in the 193-member UN General Assembly by a recorded vote of 94 in favour, 14 against and 73 abstentions, including by India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Israel, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Those voting against the resolution were Belarus, China, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Russia and SyriaClick here to read…

President directs immediate implementation of FTA with Singapore – Daily FT

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday instructed the relevant officials to implement the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA) immediately. He issued these instructions during the discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on the implementation of the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. The existing problems in this regard were discussed at length and the President highlighted the need to provide quick solutions to all the existing problems. Click here to read…

Special Envoy of South Korean Foreign Minister pays courtesy call on Speaker – Daily News

Special Envoy of South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Han Dongman and his delegation paid a courtesy call on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana on Tuesday. Dongman whilst thanking the Speaker for being a host during the visit of South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-Seug, extended an invitation to him to visit South Korea in 2023. During the cordial discussion between them focusing on several matters of mutual interests, the Speaker expressed the intentions of the Government to encourage electric cars and renewable energy sources as a policy. Dongman acknowledging that the world is heading towards renewable energy and environmentally friendly methods stated that the two nations could look into future prospects on the matter in future. Further discussions also looked at future investment opportunities and increasing the quota for Sri Lankans who wish to be employed in South Korea. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Kabul: Unidentified Man Killed Pakistani Soldier at Spin Boldak Crossing: Tolo News

The US State Department said that Washington’s “commitment to the people of Afghanistan is enduring,” in a recently released statement. “We will continue to press for an orderly transition of power to an inclusive government with broad support, especially women and minorities,” the US State Department said. “We will use every diplomatic, economic, political, and assistance tool at our disposal to uphold the basic rights of all Afghans; support continued humanitarian access to the country; and ensure the Taliban honors its commitments.” Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Bangladesh abstains from UN vote against Russia – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh has abstained at the UN General Assembly on a draft resolution calling for Russia to be held accountable for violations of international law through its invasion of Ukraine and requiring Moscow to pay reparations to Kyiv for damages, loss and injury resulting from the war. Click here to read…

COP27: Bangladesh wants climate finance doubled by 2025 – The Daily Star

Bangladesh has demanded that developed countries double their collective provision of adaptation finance by 2025, as was agreed at COP26 in Glasgow last year, and provide support to vulnerable countries to implement the National Adaptation Plan (NAP). Click here to read…

G7 ‘global shield’: Bangladesh among first to receive climate funding – The Daily Star

Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Ghana will be among the first recipients of funding from a G7 initiative to help countries affected by climate change, according to a programme announced Monday at the COP27 summit in Egypt. The “Global Shield” initiative, coordinated by G7 president Germany, aims to provide rapid access to insurance and disaster relief funding for climate-vulnerable countries following floods and droughts. Click here to read…

First-ever hajj conference from Nov 17 – The Daily Star

The first-ever national level conference and fair on hajj and umrah management will be held in the capital from November 17. The three-day conference will be held at the capital’s Bangabandhu International Conference Center. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the conference virtually at 10:00am on Thursday. Click here to read…

Bangabandhu Railway Bridge: Crossing the Jamuna in 5 minutes: Dhaka Tribune

Rail travel over the Jamuna River is set to become significantly faster with the expected completion of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge in 2024. Due to the risky condition of the existing Jamuna Bridge, trains currently need half an hour to trundle across the river. Furthermore, broad-gauge trains are not allowed to operate on the bridge in order to ensure safety. On the other hand, the Bangabandhu Railway Bridge will allow trains to travel across the river at over 100kmph, cutting down the river-crossing time to around five minutes. The bridge will also allow broad-gauge trains to cross. Click here to read…

Bhutan

SoEs should let private sector grow: NA’s Economic and Finance Committee – Kuensel online

The National Assembly’s Economic and Finance Committee (EFC) recommended that state-owned enterprises (SoE) refrain from venturing into businesses that offer better prospects and opportunities to the private sector. The chairperson of the committee and MP for Gangzur-Minjey, Kinga Penjor, said that most of the SoEs operate in commercial sectors such as manufacturing, energy, natural resources, financial, communication, aviation, trading, and real estate sectors. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives arrests 14 for alleged Islamic State-tied bomb plot – The Hindu

Police in Maldives have arrested 14 people allegedly working with foreign Islamic extremists to carry out a bombing in the tiny archipelago state, police said. The suspects had been working with the Islamic State group and apparently planning an attack with the intent of killing many people, Uswath Ahmed, the nation’s counterterrorism head, told reporters Monday night. He did not elaborate. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Ground Report: Myanmar Refugees in Mizoram Camps Are a Picture of Resilience – The Wire

On September 19, military helicopters attacked a school and village in Myanmar, killing at least 13 people, including seven children. Six days earlier, India’s National Investigation Agency announced it had seized explosives and cash in Mizoram that were meant for the Chin National Front (CNF), a constituent group of the democratic resistance to Myanmar’s military coup in February 2021. Click here to read…

Myanmar, climate and economy on agenda for U.S. VP Harris in Asia – Kalki Media

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will discuss Myanmar, regional security, economic ties and the climate crisis during a trip to Asia that starts this week, according to a senior administration official. Harris is expected to meet with Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Saturday in Bangkok and on Monday she will sit down with Philippines leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the U.S. official said on Tuesday. Click here to read…

India Should Exercise Caution Over Myanmar Timber Imports – The Irrawaddy

The confusion over Myanmar timber exports to India was laid to rest last month when the central government in New Delhi informed the Indian border state of Mizoram that timber was not on the restricted list of commodities from Myanmar. New Delhi’s directive was in response to a letter written by Mizoram governor Hari Babu Khambhampati seeking clarification on the issue of timber imports, following a petition by an association of wood-based industries in the state pushing for the removal of timber from the restricted list of commodities. Click here to read…

Malaysia Says No to Myanmar Junta’s Poll Plan – The Irrawaddy

Malaysia announced on Monday it will not support the Myanmar junta’s planned election next year, becoming the first among the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to reject the polls. Myanmar’s military staged a coup in February last year after the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) government won a second term with a landslide election victory. The military accused the NLD of serious election fraud – a claim that was debunked by international observers. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal, China seal a deal for utilisation of Rs15 billion in Chinese grant – The Kathmandu Post

Nepal and China on Tuesday signed an agreement for the utilisation of Rs15 billion (800 million RMB) in Chinese grants for various projects selected by the Nepali side. Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, Nepali ambassador to China, and Luo Zhaohui, chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), signed the agreement on the behalf of their respective governments, in Beijing. CIDCA is China’s external aid and development agency that has already made a foray in Nepal with different developmental activities. Click here to read…

Elections fail to perk up the economy – The Kathmandu Post

Polling day is less than a week away, and the high-pitch campaigning has reached a crescendo; but the same fervour is not being seen in the economy as the expected election bonanza has failed to materialise. Domestic airlines are flying half-empty planes, retailers are reporting low demand for meat, restaurant owners say only a few diners are walking in through the doors, and beverage dealers say alcohol consumption has dropped to an all-time low. Click here to read…

In Kathmandu, leaders compete to be ‘different’, make & break ties, as Nepal voters ‘seek change’ – The Print

Communist leader and former Prime Minister K. P. Oli, 70, released a rap song at the Lord of the Drinks (LOD) nightclub in the heart of Kathmandu’s tourist paradise Thamel in the past weekend, in a bid to connect with the youth. Outgoing Prime Minister, and Nepali Congress leader, Sher Bahadur Deuba’s wife Arzu Rana Deuba, disarmingly told a podcaster Monday — who asked her if she wanted to be PM — that she had taught assertiveness training to young women and yes, someday (she would), but that Nepal’s patriarchal society was likely not ready for a woman PM. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Govt seeks IMF waivers amid flood-driven slippages: Dawn

Pakistan’s formal talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the 9th quarterly review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) have been delayed further amid authorities’ request for a series of waivers on performance criteria owing to flood losses and the Fund’s push for sticking to committed tax-to-GDP ratio of at least 11pc.Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Budget allocated Rs.852 bn for social welfare – State Minister – Daily News

Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya told Parliament yesterday that social welfare has not been forgotten in this year’s Budget and the government has allocated Rs. 852 billion out of the total state expenditure through this Budget. Click here to read…

China’s top global ambassador says Sri Lanka is ready to take off – Daily News

President Xi Jinping’s top-most international roaming ambassador said Sri Lanka’s infrastructure facilities, human resources and other required facilities are in place and the country is all set to take off. President of the Chinese Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Ambassador Lin Songtiyan said now what is needed to attract foreign investments is to enact necessary legal reforms. Click here to read…

UNP to take action against its LG member for holding protest in front of Chinese Embassy – Daily Mirror

UNP is to take action against its local government member Sashi Hettiarachchi who held a protest in front of Chinese Embassy asking China to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt to that country, Party General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said yesterday. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Foreign Airlines’ Use of Afghan Airspace is Increasing, Say Aviation Author: Tolo News

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) said that the number of flights passing through Afghanistan’s airspace has increased compared to the past six months. Click here to read…

Taliban Orders Full Implementation of Sharia Law in Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

The Islamic Emirate leader Mawlawi Hebatullah Akhundzada ordered judges to fully implement Shaira law on criminals, according to sources, months after the group leadership announced the need for preserving Islamic values. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

A watershed moment for Bangladesh-US relations?: Dhaka Tribune

The military junta of West Pakistan organized among the most brutal genocides in history on March 25, 1971 with a plan to crush the Bengali nation. On a single day, around 50,000 people were massacred across the country. Click here to read…

Health minister: Population growth rate decreases significantly in Bangladesh: Dhaka Tribune

Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Monday said Bangladesh has been successful for controlling population growth rate as the current population increasing is now 1.22%. “Population growth rate has decreased significantly as the government of Bangladesh has been implementing various effective family planning programme since 2009,” he told a meeting titled “Population and Development” in Pattaya of Thailand, an official release said. Click here to read…

Bhutan

RCSC will provide Nu 10,000 for childbirth for civil servants – Kuensel Online

The Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) will pay Nu 10,000 to every civil servant on the birth of a child under the Civil Servant’s Welfare Scheme (CSWS). This was decided during its 160th Commission meeting held on November 9. It was an effort to explore avenues to introduce additional welfare benefits to cater to the emerging needs of the civil servants under the CSWS. Click here to read…

Canada govt. to offer biometrics service in Thimphu this month – Kuensel Online

The Embassy of Canada in New Delhi on November 24 and 25 will offer biometrics collection services for visa applicants at the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Thimphu. According to a press release from the embassy, the biometrics collection service is offered to those living in or who can legally enter Thimphu and have applied for a visitor visa, study or work permits, or permanent residence. Click here to read…

Maldives

President Solih sends greetings on 55th anniversary of Maldives-Japan ties – Raajje

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has extended greetings on the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Maldives and Japan. The president sent his greetings to the Emperor of Japan, H.M. Naruhito, and the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida on the occasion on Monday. President Solih told H.M. Naruhito that over the course of the past decades, Japan has proven to be one of the most “steadfast” and “reliable” development partners to the Maldives. Click here to read…

Discussions held on opening an Australian High Commission in the Maldives – Raajje

The new High Commissioner of Australia to the Republic of Maldives, Paul Wesley Stephens and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has held discussions on opening an Australian High Commission in the Maldives. High Commissioner Paul presented his credentials to the President during a ceremony held at the President’s Office, on Monday. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar’s Most Powerful Ethnic Group Rejects Junta’s 2023 Poll Plan – The Irrawaddy

The Karen National Union (KNU) political wing of Myanmar’s oldest ethnic armed group has rejected the junta’s plan for a national election next year, calling it an attempt to legitimize military rule. The rejection came on Friday at a public meeting of the KNU-led National Unity Committee of Karen Ethnic Armed Groups held in Takaw village, Hlaingbwe township, Karen State. The meeting was attended by leaders of Karen armed groups, religious groups, Karen political parties, and over 1,500 people. Click here to read…

It’s Time to Take the Gloves Off on Myanmar – The Diplomat

When G-20 leaders meet on the resort island of Bali this week, Russia’s war in Ukraine will undoubtedly dominate the conversation. But U.S. President Joe Biden should also use the G-20 to address another conflict unfolding much closer to Bali, as the people of Myanmar valiantly resist an illegitimate junta that is unleashing a campaign of violent repression, including war crimes and crimes against humanity. To date, the United States has taken an equivocal approach to the crisis raging in Myanmar. This visit presents a perfect opportunity to make clear that the U.S. and its international allies support the Myanmar peoples’ struggle for democracy by announcing new financial measures aimed at pressuring the corrupt, criminal junta responsible for these atrocities. Click here to read…

Biden, Xi start summit with vow to avoid conflict – Mizzima

Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping opened their high-stakes summit in Bali with a handshake on Monday, and with both men stressing the need to manage differences and avoid conflict. Biden says he looks forward to having “continuing and ongoing open and honest dialogue” while Xi urges “finding the correct direction” in developing mutual relationship. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal reduces power export to India as production dips – Kathmandu Post

On Monday, the NEA exported 230MW to the southern neighbour, although Nepal is authorised to sell over 400MW of electricity in the Indian market. Recently, the NEA started exporting the power generated also by the Chilime (22.1MW) and Solukhola (23.5MW) hydropower projects. The total installed capacity of hydropower projects in Nepal is over 2,200MW, according to the NEA. But, the state-owned power utility said that available output at the moment is around 1,550MW as projects’ output fluctuates depending on water levels of rivers and production dips to the lowest especially during winter. Domestic peak demands of the electricity on Monday stood at 1,418MW. Click here to read…

China company to build Nepal road linking India border – Economic Times

The Nepal Army has awarded the contract for the sixth package of the Kathmandu-Terai-Madhesh Expressway to China First Highway Engineering, sidestepping an Indian firm, less than 10 days before the general elections in the country. On November 11, the Nepal Army, which is in charge of the project, issued a letter of intent to China First Highway Engineering that was earlier disqualified in the tender but later made a backdoor entry despite lacking technical expertise, according to people in the know. The companies whose proposals have been rejected are preparing to approach court against the decision, ET has learnt. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Lawmakers want Imran to pay for ‘US plot’ allegations: Dawn

Treasury members, including two federal ministers, lambasted Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the National Assembly on Monday for “taking a U-turn on the cipher issue”, declaring that the ex-premier would have to pay a “political price” for his “lies and false narrative” regarding the US-backed regime change conspiracy. Click here to read…

Pakistan out of UK’s ‘high-risk countries’ list: Dawn

The United Kingdom has removed Pakistan from its ‘high-risk third countries’ list through a statutory instrument, effectively meaning the UK foreign office recognises the progress Pakistan has made to be removed from FATF’s grey list. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

IGP, Public Security Ministry Secy summoned by SLHRC: Daily Mirror

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Public Security Ministry Secretary were summoned by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (SLHRC) to inquire into possible violations of human rights following the arbitrary actions by policemen these days. Click here to read…

Budget 2023 sticks to reform path with IMF nod pending: Daily Mirror

With an International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal yet to be sealed, Budget 2023 presented to Parliament yesterday stuck with the reform path Sri Lanka had embarked upon after the economy crashed in April, as a result of bad economic policies followed for decades. Click here to read…

Chinese vice premier stresses water conservancy, agricultural production: Xinhuanet

November 1, 2022

Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua on Tuesday stressed efforts to boost the construction of water conservancy facilities during the coming winter and spring seasons, and to promote agricultural production. Click here to read…

Full text: Speech by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the 21st Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Xinhuanet

November 1, 2022

The following is the translation of the full text of the speech by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the 21st Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization held TuesdayClick here to read…

China’s top political advisor meets with Vietnam’s communist party chief: Xinhuanet

November 1, 2022

China’s top political advisor Wang Yang on Tuesday met with Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee. Wang, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, noted that China received Trong’s official visit to China right after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). He said this shows that China attaches great importance to the special relationship of “comrades and brothers” between China and Vietnam and cherishes the traditional friendship between the two peoples. Click here to read…

China pledges further efforts to support self-employed businesses: Xinhuanet

November 1, 2022

Chinese officials on Tuesday pledged more efforts to support self-employed businesses amid difficulties as the country unveiled a new regulation on advancing the development of self-employed businesses. Click here to read…

China unveils plan on VR development: Xinhuanet

November 1, 2022

China on Tuesday unveiled a plan to boost the development of the virtual reality (VR) industry. By 2026, the total scale of China’s virtual reality industry, including related hardware, software, and applications, will exceed 350 billion yuan (about 48.56 billion U.S. dollars), according to the plan jointly issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and four relevant departments. Click here to read…

Senior political advisors meet to share views on key Party congress spirit: China Daily

November 1, 2022

The 24th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee held a plenary meeting on Tuesday. Wang Yang, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, attended the meeting. Click here to read…

US and Chinese officials working to set up Biden-Xi meeting: Reuters

November 1, 2022

U.S. and Chinese officials are still working to arrange a face-to-face meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Bali later this month, the White House said on Tuesday. National security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that staff-level work is ongoing to set up a potential meeting. “Staffs are still working through the modalities,” he said. Click here to read…

Chinese mainland reports 409 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet

November 2, 2022

The Chinese mainland on Tuesday reported 409 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said Wednesday. Altogether 2,346 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identifiedClick here to read…

China’s upcoming import expo attracts 145 countries, regions, int’l organs: Qiushi

November 2, 2022

Representatives from a total of 145 countries, regions and international organizations will participate in the upcoming fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, the organizer said on Tuesday. Click here to read…

More investment made in roads to stabilize economy: Qiushi

November 2, 2022

China has increased the construction of highway infrastructure in order to maintain and increase investment and stabilize the economy, according to the Ministry of Transport. From January to September, construction began on 299 new expressway and national and provincial highway projects with a total length of 9,645 kilometers and 882 billion yuan ($121 billion) in investment, Gu Zhifeng, deputy chief of the highway bureau of the Ministry of Transport, said at a news conference on Monday. Click here to read…

World faces risk of combined epidemic of influenza and COVID-19 in the coming winter: Global Times

November 2, 2022

The world still faces the risk of a combined pandemic of COVID-19 and influenza, especially this winter, Zhong Nanshan, top Chinese respiratory diseases expert, said on Tuesday in The World Flu Day 2022 Symposium that more efforts are needed to tackle the scientific problems of influenza prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read…

India may let Chinese firms enter via JVs with local companies: Reuters

November 2, 2022

The Indian government is open to letting Chinese companies enter the country’s high-tech electronics sector should they set up manufacturing plants in partnerships with local companies, the Economic Times newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing officials. A joint venture (JV) proposal could be cleared if the Indian partner holds a majority stake and controls the board, according to the report, although it said no conditions have been finalized. Click here to read…

US and Chinese officials working to set up Biden-Xi meeting: Reuters

November 1, 2022

U.S. and Chinese officials are still working to arrange a face-to-face meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Bali later this month, the White House said on Tuesday. National security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that staff-level work is ongoing to set up a potential meeting. “Staffs are still working through the modalities,” he said. Click here to read…

Pakistan’s Sharif lands in Beijing to discuss economy, debt: Reuters

November 2, 2022

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to meet Chinese leaders and discuss plans for the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $65 billion investment in the South Asian nation. The major investment in development and energy projects in Pakistan is part of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to improve China’s road, rail and sea routes with the rest of the world. Click here to read…