Neighbourhood News digest – 27 April 2023

Afghanistan

UN agency: Afghanistan needs $4.62 billion in aid for 2023 - Yahoo

Afghanistan needs $4.62 billion in humanitarian aid from the international community this year for nearly 24 million people in need, the U.N.'s humanitarian affairs agency said. Afghanistan is facing its third consecutive year of drought, its second year of severe economic hardship and the continued consequences of decades of war and natural disasters, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Tuesday on Twitter. “With Afghanistan, humanitarian aid remains the last lifeline for much of the population," the agency said. Click here to read... [2]

UN draft urges Afghan rulers to reverse bans on women, girls – Economic Times

A U.N. resolution that calls on Afghanistan's Taliban rulers to swiftly reverse their increasingly harsh restrictions on women and girls and condemns their ban on Afghan women working for the United Nations is set to be voted on Thursday by the Security Council. The draft resolution, obtained late Wednesday by The Associated Press, expresses "deep concern at the increasing erosion of respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls in Afghanistan by the Taliban" and reaffirms their "indispensable role" in Afghan society. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

Bangladesh Okays India’s use of 2 ports to transport goods to the northeast – Hindustan Times

Bangladesh has cleared the use of Chattogram and Mongla ports by India for transit and trans-shipment of cargo, a move expected to significantly cut the time and cost needed to transport goods to the country’s northeastern states. Click here to read... [4]

Significance of the Bangladesh’s recent ‘Indo-Pacific outlook’ declaration – Nagaland Post

It is important for Bangladesh to develop a mental mapping of the Indo-Pacific based on its interest areas. It can start with the immediate Bay of Bengal and cover the countries, trade routes and flashpoints that have significance for Bangladesh’s foreign policy and security. This tailored approach would help Bangladesh sharpen its focus in areas important to the country and avoid being dragged into geopolitical vicissitudes in areas where it does not have a stake. Click here to read... [5]

Dhaka, Tokyo take ties to strategic level – New Age

Dhaka and Tokyo signed eight instruments on Wednesday, including on communication infrastructure, industrial upgrade, defence cooperation, cyber security, and agriculture, during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Japan at the invitation of her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida. Click here to read... [6]

Bhutan

39 lease agreements for Jigmeling industrial park terminated – Kuensel

At least 39 of the total 82 promoters, who have leased land for their industrial ventures at Jigmeling industrial park, Sarpang have been terminated. They failed to submit the required documents such as designs and drawings for construction in the given period, according to an estate official. Estate manager Sonam Wangmo said that the lessees have to submit the documents within six months of obtaining the lease. Click here to read... [7]

CEC reminds NRIs of their voting rights, discusses collaboration with Bhutan poll body – The Indian Express

The discussions with the Bhutan PM “focused on excellent collaboration & partnership between two Election Commissions & commitment to strengthen it further, in keeping with warm bonds of friendship India shares with Bhutan”, the Indian Embassy tweeted. Click here to read... [8]

Maldives

Commonwealth deploys climate finance adviser in Maldives - Edition

The Commonwealth has appointed an adviser to develop a climate change fund in the Maldives. According to the Commonwealth website, its Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub has appointed climate finance advisers to Maldives, Seychelles and Nauru, a small country in Oceania. According to the Commonwealth, Sagar Srijan Joshi, an American of Indian descent, was appointed to the Maldives and will be working with the country's Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology. Click here to read... [9]

Maldives exports increase by 51 percent - Edition

The total exported goods from the Maldives increased by 51 percent in March 2023, according to Maldives Customs Service. In their most recent statistical update, Customs revealed that the Maldives exported MVR 344 million worth of goods during the review month. Imports to the Maldives, including fuel, recorded a 10 percent increase worth MVR 4.3 billion, while imports excluding fuel rose by 14 percent, equivalent to MVR 3.6 billion. Click here to read... [10]

Myanmar

Myanmar: Can a disunited opposition challenge the army - Dhaka Tribune

The question of unity has been at the center of Myanmar politics since it gained its independence in 1948: How can the Southeast Asian nation, which is home to people of multiple ethnicities, identities, and interests, be governed in an inclusive manner? The country is splintered along ethnic lines, with the largest ethnic group the Bamar dominating politics, although they have never managed to bring the entire national territory under their control. The military's ranks are also largely drawn from this ethnic group. Click here to read... [11]

Manipur: Governor Sushri Anusuiya Uikey inspects Indo-Myanmar Border fencing in Moreh - News on Air

Manipur Governor Sushri Anusuiya Uikey today inspected Indo-Myanmar Border fencing in Moreh town of Manipur. The Governor also visited the Assam Rifles Forward Post located in the town where she was briefed by the official of Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) about the progress of the ongoing fencing works along the border. Click here to read... [12]

The Children Fighting in Myanmar’s Civil War - The Diplomat

As Myanmar’s civil war grows in ferocity, children are getting caught in the crossfire in myriad ways. While many children have been killed in air strikes or shot dead by junta forces on the suspicion that they are part of resistance groups, some have joined the fighting against the junta. Click here to read... [13]

Japan Protests against Myanma