VIF Neighbourhood News Digest – October 21, 2022

Afghanistan
Iran and Pakistan Officials Pledge to Act for Peace in Afghanistan: Tolo News

Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan on a trip to Iran talked about the current situation in Afghanistan with Iranian officials. Iran’s Foreign Ministry tweeted that Islamabad and Tehran will use all their capacity to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Bangladesh
Minister: Bangladesh-India relations will further deepen: Dhaka Tribune/

India and Bangladesh share brotherly relations and it will only grow further, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has said. He was addressing the opening ceremony of the BGB-BSF joint retreat parade at Banglabandha Zero Point in Tetulia upazila of Panchagarh on Thursday. Click here to read…

Bhutan
RCSC to conduct leadership assessment for P1 officers now: The Bhutanese

Starting November 12, 2022, the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) will be conducting leadership assessment exercises for Officers in P1 Management (P1 M) position level as part of the process to identify potential candidates for Executive-level positions, according to a release, Click here to read…

Maldives
Decision to support OPEC Plus was not influenced in any way, says gov’t: Avas

The Maldives’ decision to support OPEC Plus’s decision to cut oil production was not influenced by any party, Presidential Spokesperson Miuwan Mohamed has said. Click here to read…

Myanmar
Mandalay ultranationalist and militia leader survives assassination attempt : Myanmar Now

A notorious ultranationalist and leader of the Myanmar army-backed Pyu Saw Htee militia survived an assassination attempt in Mandalay on Wednesday morning, Myanmar Now has learned. Click here to read…

Nepal
Nepal to talk up climate losses and seek more funding at COP27: The Kathmandu Post

Experts say the government’s apathy towards climate change is glaring, especially given the increasing incidents each year of melting glaciers, flash floods and landslides. The incidents have claimed lives and destroyed property. The numbers continue to see an alarming rise every passing year. Click here to read…

Pakistan
Axe falls on uplift spending as creditors stay aloof: The Express Tribune

The government has capped the development spending for the first half of the fiscal year at mere 20% of the annual budget because of severe economic crisis, as multilateral creditors remained reluctant to provide any major solace to Pakistan in the aftermath of the recent floods. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan security forces couldn’t pay training fees to India: Daily Mirror

Emphasising on the need to attain self-reliance, Union Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt Thursday said Sri Lanka was in such a bad economic crisis that its security forces were unable to pay the nominal fees for training exercises in India. Click here to read…