VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: May 29, 2020

PAKISTAN
FM Qureshi chides India for toying with risky military concepts: DAWN

Pakistan on Thursday accused nuclear-armed India of risky behaviour for toying with dangerous military concepts, but assured the world that it (Pakistan) would continue to act with restraint and responsibility. “The flawed notion of establishment of a ‘new normal’ and fantasies of ‘punishing Pakistan’ while remaining below the threshold of a nuclear conflict demonstrate irresponsible and dangerous behaviour by India,” Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said at a webinar, while referring to the Feb 2019 post-Pulwama stand-off. Click here to read....

AFGHANISTAN
3 Clashes amid 'Unannounced' Afghan Ceasefire: TOLO News

Sources within the Afghan government and the Taliban said an "unannounced ceasefire" has been in place since May 27 and will remain in effect for the next several days, but reports indicate that the three clashes occurred in Zabul, Farah and Parwan over the last 24 hours. The Eid ceasefire--from May 24 to May 26-- was announced by the Taliban and reciprocated by the Afghan government, and, according to figures provided by the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, civilian casualties dropped by 80 percent. Click here to read....

BANGLADESH
Air force to send contingent in Peacekeeping Mission: Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) will send its 125 members for United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The contingent will consist of three armed version MI-171 helicopters equipped with night vision system, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Thursday. Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat, BBP, OSP, ndu, psc addressed the members of the contingent at BAF Base Bashar, it said. Click here to read....

MYANMAR
Myanmar govt lifts some virus measures, extends remaining ones until June 15: Myanmar Times

The Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment on COVID-19 on May 28 announced that it will be extending virus prevention measures (excluding those measures lifted) until June 15. Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Sports said that it has lifted some of the measures imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus on the same day. At 6:30pm on Thursday [May 28], state media cited a press release from the health ministry informing that stay-at-home instructions have been revoked at four townships in Yangon Region starting 4pm on May 29. Click here to read....

NEPAL
On boundary row, India says it’s open to engage with Nepal on the basis of mutual sensitivity and respect: The Kathmandu Post

In a conciliatory tone, New Delhi on Thursday responded to Kathmandu’s calls for dialogue to settle the boundary row, reiterating that India attaches great importance to its friendly relations with Nepal. During a regular press briefing at the Ministry of External Affairs in the Indian capital, Anurag Srivastava, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, said: “On the recent developments on boundary issues, we continue to monitor the situation in Nepal. We note that this matter is receiving careful consideration in Nepal, taking its seriousness into account.” Click here to read....

SRI LANKA
External funding must be development centric: President: Daily Mirror

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said external funding must be “development centric” by all aspects of such facilities because the timeline to reach normalcy in the country will be longer. President Rajapaksa said this while addressing the virtual ‘High – Level Event on Financing for Development in the Era of COVID – 19 and beyond’ organized by the Prime Ministers of Canada, Jamaica and the UN Secretary General today. Click here to read....

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