Afghanistan
India Resumes Issuing Visas to Afghans after Long Suspension: Media-Tolo News
Indian media, citing sources, reported that India has resumed issuing visas to Afghan citizens. According to reports, a new online visa system for Afghans was launched in the final week of April. Going forward, visas will be issued for education, business, medical treatment, and for the United Nations. The Indian media report states: “A government source told The Hindu that a new online visa process for Afghans was initiated in the last week of April. The official added that Afghans are now receiving visas for business, medical, and other purposes.” Click here to read…
Afghanistan Urges China to Reduce Tariffs on Exported Goods-Tolo News
Officials from the Islamic Emirate and China held discussions on reducing tariffs on Afghan export goods and strengthening bilateral economic ties. Ahmadullah Zahid, deputy minister of industry and commerce, in a meeting with the deputy of China’s customs administration, requested tariff reductions to help Afghan products compete in Chinese markets. Zahid also emphasized the need for agricultural agreements, the initiation of direct flights to all major Chinese cities, and facilitating the transport of Afghan goods. Click here to read…
Azizi: Afghanistan, Russia Aim to Trade in Local Currencies-Tolo News
Nooruddin Azizi, acting minister of industry and commerce, said that due to international sanctions, Afghanistan and Russia are working to conduct their trade exchanges using local currencies instead of the US dollar. In an interview with Reuters, Azizi stated that specialized discussions between Kabul and Moscow are ongoing in this regard. Click here to read…
Pakistan and Uzbekistan discuss Trilateral Railway Project with Afghanistan-The Khaama Press
Pakistan and Uzbekistan discussed the regional railway project linking Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, aiming to enhance regional connectivity by 2027. According to a statement released on Sunday, May 25, by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X, both ministers exchanged views on advancing the regional connectivity project, known as the Trans-Afghan Railway. Click here to read…
Bhutan
Border talks with India and Bhutan advancing, says China's white paper on security; Highlights internal, external threats – The Economic Times
Talks to resolve border issue with India and Bhutan "continue to advance", a new white paper on China's national security has said, identifying a host of internal and external threats faced by the country and its one-party political system. The 23-page security paper released recently in Mandarin has outlined a host of threats and challenges faced by China. China has settled boundary issues with 12 of its 14 land neighbours and the negotiations with India and Bhutan continue to advance to resolve the border disputes, said the white paper titled 'China's National Security in the New Era'. Beijing has completed the demarcation of the Beibu Gulf waters between China and Vietnam, signed border defence cooperation agreements with nine neighbouring countries, established border defence talks and meetings mechanisms with 12 countries, and regularly carried out friendly visits, working talks, joint patrols, and joint cross-border crime drills, the paper said. Click here to read…
Pratapgarh farmer’s sandalwood and turmeric farm draws Bhutan attention – The Times of India
Bhutan's transition to a fully organic agricultural system has brought officials and businessmen from the country to Pratapgarh's Bhadauna village, seeking Indian expertise in organic and natural farming. Loknath Sharma, Bhutan's former minister of economic affairs and natural energy & resources, was among the visitors. They toured ‘Rishigram' — former Shashatra Seema Bal officer Utkrisht Pandey's seven-acre farm in Bhadauna village, which showcases organic and natural farming practices. The farm features around 3,000 sandalwood plants and hybrid turmeric varieties. The delegation's visit aimed to explore opportunities and learn from India's experiences in organic farming, with a focus on rural sector economy development. Click here to read…
Maldives
Maldives and US Discuss Long-Term Cooperation in Sports Development – PSM News
The Maldives has held discussions with the United States on strengthening long-term cooperation in the development of the Maldives’ sports sector. The talks took place during a meeting between the Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu, and the US Ambassador to the Maldives, Hugo Yon. During the meeting held at the Sports Ministry on Sunday, the Sports Minister discussed cooperation in the development of the sports sector in the Maldives. Ambassador Yon also discussed further strengthening the US Government's interest in supporting the Maldives advance its sports sector. The United States is recognised for its remarkable achievements in international sports. The Maldivian government aims to strengthen relations with successful sporting countries and provide training and experience opportunities for Maldivian athletes. Click here to read…
Khaleel travels to India for talks on implementing "vision document" – Adhadhu
Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has departed for India for discussions on implementing the "vision document" between India and the Maldives. ‘A Vision for Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership’ document was signed during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's state visit to India in October 2024. Khaleel is travelling to India to take part in the second meeting of the High-Level Core Group between the Maldives and India for the implementation of the document. The first meeting of the High-Level Core Group was held on January 29 at the Foreign Ministry building in Male'. During the visit, Khaleel will also hold bilateral discussions with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation with senior officials from the President’s Office, Defence Ministry, Housing Ministry, Finance Ministry, Economic Ministry and Homeland Security Ministry. Click here to read…
Myanmar
Myanmar nationals deported by US being held in notorious junta detention centre – Myanmar Now
Thirteen Myanmar nationals deported from the United States since last month are being held in a notorious interrogation centre in Yangon, Myanmar Now has learned. The detainees are among 20 individuals—16 men and four women—that the administration of US President Donald Trump has handed over to Myanmar’s military junta since April, according to a military source. Thirteen of the deportees arrived at Yangon International Airport in April, and another seven in May, the source added. “They were arrested as soon as they arrived at the airport and sent to the Aung Tha Pyay interrogation centre. Most are ethnic Karen or Chin; a few are other ethnicities. They didn’t have any Myanmar-related identification documents,” the source said. Click here to read…
AA’s Political Wing Imposes Rakhine Travel Ban – The Irrawaddy
The United League of Arakan (ULA) has banned adults aged up to 45 from leaving Rakhine State while its armed wing, the Arakan Army (AA), is conscripting residents. The ULA, on May 22, issued four orders prohibiting men aged 18 to 45 and women aged 18 to 25 from leaving the state without a proper reason. Only people with dependents suffering from severe health conditions that cannot be treated by the Arakan health department are allowed to leave the state, it said. The ULA banned transporting people out of the Rakhine State for profit and outlawed traders from transporting extra people. Click here to read…
Pakistan
PM Shehbaz in Turkiye to ‘elevate strategic partnership’-Dawn
In the first leg of his four-country tour, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday arrived in Turkiye, where he met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to not only thank Ankara for its support during recent tensions with India but also cement bilateral economic cooperation. “Both leaders reaffirmed their principled support for each other’s core concerns, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” said an official press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Sunday. Click here to read…
Holding Indus treaty in abeyance has no legal cover, says minister-Dawn
Federal Minister for Water Resources Muhammad Moeen Wattoo has warned India that holding the Indus Water Treaty (IWC) in abeyance unilaterally is “absolutely unlawful and an act of war”. He further said that the treaty still exists despite New Delhi holding it in abeyance “unilaterally and illegally”. Click here to read…
Nine terrorists neutralised in K-P IBOs-The Express Tribune
Security forces killed nine India-backed terrorists in three separate operations in Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Khyber districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Sunday. According to the ISPR, the media wing of the military, the Khwarij – a term used for the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan – were killed on the night between Saturday and Sunday. It said that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain Indian sponsored terrorists. Click here to read…
