Neighborhood News Digest – 25 April 2023

Afghanistan

Leaked document shows ISIS re-emergence in Afghanistan – News Nation

ISIS is re-emerging in Afghanistan, and using the country as a safe haven to coordinate its terrorist activity. This was revealed because of reports that were included in that massive leak of classified information that appeared on the online platform Discord. The Washington Post was first to report that, according to leaked Pentagon memos, ISIS now has a more established footing in Afghanistan, where the terrorist group is plotting attacks across Europe, Asia and “aspirational plots” against the U.S. Click here to read... [2]

China’s Got Afghan Fever, Again – Foreign Policy

China, once again, seems to be mucking about in Afghanistan’s mineral-rich playground. The latest move is a maybe, could-be deal worth billions to tap Afghanistan’s rich veins of lithium, the key input for the energy transition that powers everything from laptops to electric cars. It could mean that billions of dollars will be pouring into securing a prosperous future for one of the world’s poorest countries. It probably won’t. The deal, like so much else China has done with Afghanistan in the last several decades, is more about politics than economics. Click here to read... [3]

India to donate wheat to Afghanistan – World Grain

The Indian government recently announced its intention to donate 10,000 tonnes of wheat to neighboring Afghanistan, which is in the midst of an acute food crisis due to severe drought, a faltering economy and many years of military conflict. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake in the northeastern part of Afghanistan in March is the latest obstacle the country is trying to overcome. India signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations World Food Program (WPF) to ensure the delivery. Last year, India shipped 40,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan in attempt to help the estimated 23 million food-insecure people in the country. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

Bangladesh announces its ‘Indo-Pacific Outlook’ – New Age

Bangladesh on Monday officially revealed its 15-point Indo-Pacific Outlook envisioning a free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific one day before the commencement of prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s tri-nation visit to Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom. ‘The Indo-Pacific area’s collective share in global GDP, preponderance in international trade, enhanced climate action and growing technological dynamism can be key determinants for ensuring Bangladesh’s long-term resilience and prosperity,’ state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam said. Click here to read... [5]

PM Hasina leaves for tri-nation tour – Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left here on Tuesday morning on a 15-day official tour to Japan, the USA and the UK. The flight is scheduled to arrive in the Haneda International Airport, Tokyo at 5pm (local time) where she will be received by TAKEI Shunsuke, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed. At the airport, a red carpet will be rolled out in honour of the Prime Minister while she will also be given static guard of honour. Click here to read... [6]

What should be Bangladesh’s ‘Myanmar policy’ at this moment? – Nagaland Post

Bangladesh and Myanmar have been discussing a pilot project for the past two years to repatriate just over 1,000 Rohingya out of a million Rohingya. But suddenly Myanmar became active in this matter for the last one month. A tripartite meeting was arranged in Kunming with the help of the country’s ‘genuine friend’ China, which was attended by Foreign Secretary Masoud Bin Momen this month . All parties want to start the implementation of the pilot project before monsoon. According to experts and former diplomats, Myanmar will have to submit a counter-memorial to the International Court of Justice on May 24 regarding the Rohingya genocide. The country wants to lighten the responsibility and justice by mentioning the issue of repatriation in that document. Click here to read... [7]

Bhutan

Are women not voting for women? - Kuensel

Bhutanese voters, going by voting records, are gender-biased or still do not trust female candidates, even if the number of voters indicate that more women are turning up to the polls to elect their leaders. According to figures provided by the Election Commission of Bhutan, more women than men turned up to the polls to cast their ballots in the recent National Council elections. Only one woman out of the five got elected. Click here to read... [8]

Maldives

Chagos Islands dispute: differences of opinion among MPs - Raajje

An emergency motion has been moved in the People's Majlis, alleging that shallow deals have been made involving the territorial dispute between the Maldives and the Mauritius over Chagos Islands. The emergency motion was proposed by the member of parliament for Maduvvari Constituency, Adam Shareef, to Monday's sitting. The motion by MP Shareef read that the Maldivian administration has sent a letter to Mauritius, with a proposal that will make Maldives lose part of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and called the government to disclose the details of the letter. Accusing the administration of making a deal to sell part of Maldives, Shareef's motion also called to open an investigation on the issue. Click here to read... [9]

Myanmar

Former UN chief Ban Ki-moon makes surprise visit to Myanmar, meets ruling general – The Print

Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met Myanmar’s military ruler on Monday, media reported, part of a trip aimed at promoting peace in a country racked by conflict since a coup two years ago. Ban made the surprise visit late on Sunday, according to state media. He met junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in the capital Naypyitaw, pro-military news portal NP News reported. “They exchanged views on the latest situation in Myanmar and discussed positively and openly,” it quoted junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun as saying. Click here to read... [10]

What’s brewing north of the Andaman Islands? - ORF

A recent Chatham House report has brought the Coco Islands in Myanmar into the spotlight and added to the now long-standing deliberation on China’s expanding influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Located at a mere distance of 55 kilometres from India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI), the report cites satellite images that show infrastructure development, including the construction of a causeway connecting the southern tip of the Great Coco Island to a neighbouring island; a pier; a runway; a radar station; and signs of military and aircraft facilities suggesting a steady makeover. China is reportedly behind these new developments. Click here to read... [11]

Nepal

Nepal: Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane accused of flouting election code of conduct during by-polls – First Post

A complaint has been registered at the Office of Chief Returning Officer in Chitwan-2 against Rastriya Swatantra Party President and candidate Rabi Lamichhane, accusing him of flouting the election code of conduct. According to a report in the Kathmandu Post, Dhruva Raj Pokharel, the representative of Nepali Congress candidate Jit Narayan Shrestha, filed a complaint demanding the cancellation of Lamichhane’s candidacy. Click here to read... [12]

Pakistan

Pakistan: Explosions kill 12 in Swat Valley counter-terror office - BBC

At least 12 people have been killed in two explosions at a counter-terrorism office in north-west Pakistan, officials say. Police said that there is no evidence of an attack and that it could have been as a result of an electrical fault igniting ammunition in the centre. Most of the dead are police officers. The explosion happened in the Swat valley, which was controlled by Islamist militants before they were forced out in 2009. More than 40 people were injured and buildings have collapsed. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan raises Kashmir issue at UN yet again, India snubs 'mischievous'

remarks – First Post

India’s permanent ambassador to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj tore into Pakistan after it raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at a UN Security Council meeting, and said that she would not waste the Council’s time by responding to such ‘mischievous’ remarks. Kamboj noted that such remarks came up “purely out of ignorance and lack of an understanding on the basic facts of decolonisation,” PTI reported. Click here to read... [14]

Pakistan-China Economic Partnership stalled – The Print

The recent imposition of a USD 2.48 million fine by a Pakistan civil court on China National Petroleum Corporation for allegedly violating the contract signed with the Petroleum Exploration (Pvt.) Ltd. has again brought forth the increasing economic mistrust between the two countries accentuated by the financial crisis in Pakistan. Already many projects under the CPEC, like the Main Line1 (ML-I) — railway line between Karachi and Peshawar — and the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), have been stalled and have become financial liabilities. Click here to read... [15]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Tourism kicks off multi-city roadshow in South India -

Sri Lanka Tourism kicked off a series of roadshows in selected cities of South India yesterday, to attract more visitors from the giant neighbour. The delegation is led by Tourism Minister Harin Fernando and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) Chairman Thisum Jayasuriya, SLCB Marketing Manager Malkanthi Welikla, SLTPB Junior Manager Shirani Herath, where the first roadshow was held in Chennai yesterday, followed by Cochin on Wednesday and Bangalore on Friday. Click here to read... [16]

Sri Lanka’s opposition parties to put up joint front to fight new anti-terrorism bill – The Print

Sri Lanka’s opposition parties as well as the minority Tamil and Muslim parties on Monday decided to put up a joint front against the new anti-terrorism bill that would replace a draconian counter-terrorism law, the main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said. “All opposition parties vowed today to defeat the ATA. It empowers the president to name anyone a terrorist among the 20 million people”, Premadasa said. Click here to read... [17]