VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: September 30, 2022

Afghanistan

Thomas West Says Afghan National Dialogue Needed: Tolo News

The US special envoy for Afghanistan Thomas West said without a serious “national political dialogue” about the future of the country among Afghans who have “genuine support in their community, I really do fear.... we could see a return to civil war in time." Click here to read... [2]

Pakistan FM: Intl Community Should Work With Afghanistan: Tolo News

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan's foreign minister, called on the international community, especially the US, to cooperate with Afghanistan to fight against foreign fighters and solve the economic crisis. Click here to read... [3]

Iran Says Terrorism in Afghanistan Pose Threat to Global Security: The Khaama Press

While the international community as a whole is concerned about the resurgence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, Iran has also expressed alarm, warning that terrorism in Afghanistan poses a threat to regional and global security. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

World Maritime Day: Bangladesh committed to greener shipping: Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh observed World Maritime Day 2022 on Thursday with a commitment to promote this year’s theme, ‘New technologies for greener shipping’, in the maritime sector. Click here to read... [5]

Speaker: Sheikh Hasina pioneer of women empowerment: Dhaka Tribune

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on Thursday said that Sheikh Hasina has established Bangladesh as a glaring example for women's empowerment, women's rights and gender equality across the world. Click here to read... [6]

Bhutan

Intra-Regional Co-operation in Trade, Tourism and Investment in Bhutan – Sentinel Assam

The recent visit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India has implications for the co-operation not only for India-Bangladesh trade ties with reference to the North-East region but also for Bhutan, Nepal and the entire South East Asia region. The Bangladeshi Prime Minister invited Indian investors to invest in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and set up industries through Buy-Back arrangements. She also mentioned about the two dedicated Special Economic Zones at Mongla and Mirsarai. Click here to read... [7]

Maldives

Indian grant aid to Maldives has been pivotal, says foreign minister Abdulla Shahid

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid on Wednesday lauded the grant assistance provided by India to the Maldives, saying this aid has been pivotal in developing basic services in the island nation. “Grant assistance from India to the Maldives has been pivotal in developing basic services in our island communities. The Emergency Medical Services unit inaugurated in B.Dharavandhoo, that was developed under this scheme is a step forward in broadening our medical services,” Maldives Foreign Minister tweeted. Click here to read... [8]

Myanmar

Myanmar junta court sentences Australian economist, Suu Kyi to 3 year – News.com

More from breaking news. Myanmar's junta sentenced an Australian economist to three years in prison while also handing down another conviction to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, drawing global condemnation on Thursday. "Mr Sean Turnell, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and another three were sentenced to three years imprisonment each under the Official Secrets Act," a source told AFP, adding that Suu Kyi would appeal her verdict. Click here to read... [9]

EU talks tough but goes soft on Myanmar trade – Asia Times

Calls rising for EU to cut Myanmar’s ‘Everything But Arms’ trade privileges but suspension would hurt workers more than generals. The European Union is preparing to impose a new tranche of sanctions against Myanmar’s democracy-suspending, coup-installed military regime, but behind the new measures, a debate rages about whether Brussels should revoke the benighted nation’s EU trade privileges. Click here to read... [10]

Nepal

Green transformation: Crisis as an opportunity

After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the German Environment Agency (UBA) conducted a meta-analysis encompassing around 130 studies and position papers on economic stimulus programmes designed to promote sustainable development. That analysis showed that there is a broad consensus on the need for such programmes and their benefits within the scientific community and at international organisations, such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Click here to read... [11]

Pakistan

No ‘debt swap’ talks with Beijing yet, says Bilawal: Dawn

Insisting that whenever such a conversation takes place, it would be on Pakis-tan’s own terms, he said that he would like the country to play the role of a bridge between China and the United States, rather exacerbating tensions or “being a geopolitical football”. Click here to read... [12]

Another UN appeal to seek $600m more for flood aid: Dawn

In a follow-up meeting of the Steering Committee for Coordination of Inter-national Assistance for Flood Relief Activities, Eco¬no¬mic Affairs Division (EAD) Secretary Humair Karim told bilateral donors and international and domestic aid and relief agencies that the UN would launch the revised humanitarian appeal on Oct 4 for $600m additional relief assistance. Click here to read... [13]

Petrol price may drop Rs7.24/litre for next fortnight: The News

The per litre prices of petrol and diesel may come down by Rs7.24 and Rs16.61 in the next fortnightly price review if the government passes on the impact of retreating global market by not raising the taxation on them, The New learnt on Thursday. Click here to read... [14]

Pak-US ties should stand on their own: PM Shehbaz Sharif: The News

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday urged the United States not to look relations with Pakistan through Afghanistan or China lens as the ties between the two countries should stand on their own. Click here to read... [15]

Sri Lanka

SL ranks 85th in 2022 edition of Global Innovation Index: Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka has been successful in jumping up the ranking on the 2022 edition of the Global Innovation Index (GII), securing the 85th position in the world ranking and fifth in the regional ranking. Click here to read... [16]

USA to help SLs to realize their dreams- US Ambassador: Daily Mirror

United States of America (USA) yesterday stretched its hands to Sri Lankans to realize their dreams with the opening of a new American Centre in Colombo and assured a friendship of joy. US Ambassador in Colombo Julie Chung who was speaking during the opening of new American Centre in Colombo said USA will continue to invest in Sri Lankan people at this challenging time. Click here to read... [17]