Neighborhood News Digest – 11 April 2023

Afghanistan

2 killed, 4 injured in accident in Afghanistan's Paktia – Devdiscourse

Two people were killed, and four others were injured due to a accident in Afghanistan's eastern Paktia province on Monday, Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported. According to the provincial police spokesman, Mohammad Munib Zadran, at least two passengers were killed and four others were injured when a car went turtle on Monday in Afghanistan's eastern province of Paktia. Click here to read... [2]

India proves naysayers wrong in Afghanistan with soft power approach – Money Control

April 2023 seems far removed from August 2021, when the Taliban came to power for a second time in Afghanistan. The naysayers had written off India with dire forebodings – the Islamic crescent was at India’s frontiers; expect ISI-backed Taliban terrorists to wage a full-scale battle in Kashmir; it would be curtains for India’s development initiative in a country torn apart by war and civil strife, and Pakistan’s star would rise as a double-edged weapon to be unleashed against its old rival. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

PM Hasina: US can overturn power of any nation if it wants – Dhaka Tribune

Highlighting the current position of the US on various countries, Sheikh Hasina said: “Even today I say that the country gives us the guise of democracy with its words. Starting from our opposition party, some people are dancing and cheering with their words. “They can overthrow the government in any country, particularly Muslim countries. As long as they were controlling over Islamic countries, nothing happened. However, after the Russia-Ukraine war, the entire world is now in the grip of economic recession. This is the reality,” she added. Click here to read... [4]

US wants Bangladesh to set strong example of free, fair polls – Dhaka Tribune

“Of course, we are looking….the world is looking to Bangladesh for its next elections to make sure that they set up strong example of free and fair election for the region and world,” said US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken during his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in Washington on Monday afternoon (US time). Appreciating Bangladesh's engagement with the US, Blinken said they are committed to work together to find ways to further “strengthen and deepen” the robust relationship. Click here to read... [5]

How Bangladesh trying to ensure ‘energy security’? – Nagaland Post

Energy generation has been a priority for the Awami League government since they took office more than a decade ago and it is clear that Sheikh Hasina understands the importance- now more than ever- of a long-term energy security plan through regional cooperation. For that purpose, Bangladesh has, over the last decade increasingly looked at India for collaboration and support in the energy sector. Click here to read... [6]

Bhutan

Rural politics evolving – Kuensel

Politicking at the local level has gained momentum in Sarpang and more voters are turning up for common forums. After attending the common forum at the Chhuzanggang, Tashi Rinchen, 66, scans the election board where candidates have their pledges. “I have already decided on my candidate,” says Tashi. “We must elect capable candidates. Ultimately voters should benefit.” Click here to read... [7]

As Bhutan walks a tightrope balancing two Asian giants, India must counter China's land-grabbing endeavours – Firstpost

Bhutan’s fifth King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, visited India earlier this month. The King paid a visit at the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu, which concluded in a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tandi Dorji, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, and other top officials from Bhutan’s royal government accompanied the king for the visit. Click here to read... [8]

Assam to export methanol to Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan – East Mojo

Assam government will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with an industrial group for an investment of Rs 15,000 crore in the state. This was disclosed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while addressing a press conference here on Sunday. “We are entering into a new agreement with an industrial group for an investment of Rs 15,000. We will sign the MoU after PM visits the state,” Sarma said. Click here to read... [9]

Maldives

$1-Billion coastal protection project launched in The Maldives - St Vincent Times

A MVR 1 billion (about $65 million) megaproject to preserve the Maldives’ coasts is slated to be launched with Japan’s support. The Green Climate Fund is funding the initiative in partnership with the Maldives government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). At a ceremony last week, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology signed the agreement for the project named “Creating Climate Resilient and Secure Islands in the Maldives.” Click here to read... [10]

Maldives confirms 84 new Covid-19 cases; 73 from capital region - Raajje

In its latest figures publicized on Monday, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) confirmed that Covid-19 cases being reported from the congested capital of Maldives, Malé City, are continuing to spiral. As such, over the past week, Maldives confirmed 84 new Covid-19 infections, out of which 73 cases were confirmed from the Greater Malé Region and the remaining 11 were detected from others including industrial islands, liveaboard vessels and resorts. Click here to read... [11]

Myanmar

How internet shutdowns in Myanmar have been endangering lives and affecting humanitarian work since the coup - Global Voices

A press statement released by the United Nations on June 7, 2022, reported that 31 townships in seven states and regions of Myanmar have been experiencing a complete internet shutdown since August 2021, and a further 23 townships have experienced internet throttling. According to Freedom House, cuts were reported in the Yangon Region, Mandalay Region, Chin State, Magway Region, and Tanintharyi Region, which affected millions of internet users. The internet cut in Sagaing Region, where armed fighting between Myanmar's junta troops and resistance forces was happening, was particularly severe. Click here to read... [12]

China the ‘natural suspect’ behind military upgrades on Myanmar islands near India - SCMP

Only China has the resources and motivation to build military installations on a group of Myanmar islands near a strategic Indian archipelago, analysts said, after a report by a British think tank unveiled major upgrades around the islands. Click here to read... [13]

Myanmar Sentences Baptist Leader to 6 Years in Prison - Christianity Today

On Good Friday, Myanmar’s military junta sentenced Hkalam Samson, the former head of the Kachin Baptist Convention, to six years in prison on charges of terrorism, unlawful association, and inciting opposition. Hkalam denies the charges, which international rights groups and the Kachin diaspora believe to be politically motivated. Click here to read... [14]

Myanmar’s Civilian Govt Seeks Closer Ties With Arakan Army on 14th Anniversary - The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) on Monday congratulated Rakhine State’s Arakan Army on its 14th anniversary and called for closer collaboration to establish a federal union. Formed in 2009, the AA has been fighting the Myanmar military in Rakhine State since 2015 for self-determination for the Rakhine or Arakan community. It has the support of the Rakhine population and was inflicting huge casualties on regime troops in Rakhine and Paletwa Township in neighboring Chin State until an informal ceasefire was agreed in late 2020. The AA has since set up its own administration and judiciary across much of Rakhine State. Click here to read... [15]

Nepal

Nepal looks to India easing its wheat export quota restriction to address domestic shortage - Kathmandu Post

Nepal has requested India to supply 300,000 tonnes of wheat to avoid a major spurt in local flour prices. The shortage of wheat has already made the flour prices dearer in the domestic market, although prices have dropped to some extent since March. The Nepal government expects that the requested consignment would start coming from the new fiscal year 2023-24, or after mid-July. According to reports, more than 80 percent of the world’s wheat is being consumed as flour. Click here to read... [16]

Govt is committed to improving economy: PM Dahal - English KhabarHub

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the government is committed to resolving present problems seen in the country’s economy and vigorously working to resolve them. Addressing the 72nd Annual General Meeting of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce here today, he asserted that the government wanted the same level of support from the private sector for economic reforms. Click here to read... [17]

Indian security force’s entry in Nepali territory creates distrust in security mechanism: Raghuji Panta - English KhabarHub

CPN-UML lawmaker Raghuji Panta has said that the entry of the Indian security force into the Nepali territory in its bid to search for one Amritpal Singh has created distrust in the Nepali security mechanism. He also expressed his concerns about the incident. “The laws of Nepal do not allow any foreign security forces to enter the country and launch a search. Nepal is a sovereign country, and it does enjoy its right to self-determination,” he said while attending today’s meeting of the House of Representatives. Click here to read... [18]

Pakistan

Joint session of Pakistan’s Parliament passes bill to curb powers of chief justice – Indian Express

A joint session of Pakistan’s Parliament on Monday passed a bill to curb the powers of the chief justice of the Supreme Court regarding suo motu cases and the constitution of benches, amidst strong opposition from Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. “Parliament in its Joint session passes ‘The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023’,” the National Assembly or the lower house announced in a tweet. Click here to read... [19]

4 Killed, 15 Injured In Bomb Blast In Pakistan's Quetta – NDTV

A bomb blast in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan killed at least four people and wounded 15 others on Monday, officials said. The bomb targeted a police vehicle in a busy market in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, which is home to a separatist insurgency and several Islamist armed groups. Click here to read... [20]

Remittances sent by Pakistani expats reach USD 2.5 billion in March: central bank – Devdiscourse

Pakistani expatriates sent home USD 2.5 billion in remittances in March, a seven-month high, the State Bank of Pakistan said on Monday, as the cash-strapped country tried to avert a major economic crisis.The data from the central bank showed that the inflow of workers remittances was 27 per cent higher compared to February. Click here to read... [21]

Pakistan minister announces subsidy plan amid crisis: 'Taking money from rich, giving it to poor' – Hindustan Times

Pakistan’s Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said plans to implement fuel subsidies have been shared with the International Monetary Fund to help alleviate the lender’s concerns before it revives a stalled $6.5 billion bailout. Pakistan is going through one of its biggest economic crisis in history and earlier this week it raised interest rates to an all-time high after consumer prices quickened to a fresh record. The government has raised taxes and energy prices and allowed the currency to depreciate to meet the IMF’s conditions. Click here to read... [22]

Sri Lanka

Why Sri Lanka’s proposed anti-terror law is facing widespread criticism – Indian Express

Lawyers, legal scholars, human rights activists, media, and at least one religious leader in Sri Lanka have asked the government not to take the Anti Terrorism Bill (ATB) to Parliament, and have demanded wider consultations on the provisions of the draft law that one newspaper has called a “remedy worse than malady”. Click here to read... [23]

India worried about China radar plan in Sri Lanka: Report - Island

China is considering setting up a radar base in the jungles near Dondra Bay of Sri Lanka which will be able to monitor India’s strategic assets in south India, the activities of the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean Region and US military activities in Diego Garcia, reports the Economic Times. The radar could also keep an eye on the Kudankulam and Kalpakkam nuclear power plants. Dondra Bay is located at the southern-most tip of Sri Lanka and is historically significant, as it was once the capital of the island nation. Click here to read... [24]

U.S. has no intention of setting up a military base in Sri Lanka: Ambassador Julie J. Chung – Daily Mirror

U.S. Ambassador Julie J. Chung said yesterday that her country does not have any intention of setting up a military base in Sri Lanka. Responding to a query about the visit of a top U.S. defence official to Sri Lanka during an interview with Daily Mirror, she said, “In terms of the military base, I have said this repeatedly, we have no intention of building a military base.” She also said her country does not have any intention of reviving or reassessing the SOFA Agreement. Click here to read... [25]