Neighborhood News Digest – 21 July 2023

Afghanistan

Trans-Afghanistan Railway agreement signed – Railway Gazette

Officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed the route for the proposed Trans-Afghanistan Railway, which is being planned as joint initiative between the three countries to promote regional connectivity and provide Central Asia with access to Pakistan’s seaports. The protocol was signed at a trilateral meeting on July 18, convened by Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways in Islamabad. This brought together railway officials from the three countries with Pakistan’s railway and finance ministers and the Afghan and Uzbek ambassadors.Click here to read… [2]

Afghanistan: EU announces 7.6 million euros aid as food insecurity worsens – The Print

The European Union has announced humanitarian aid of 7.6 million euros to address the needs of vulnerable citizens of Afghanistan, as the country continues to remain in the grip of food insecurity and economic crisis, reported Afghan news agency, Khaama Press.Click here to read… [3]

Bangladesh

Bangladesh in the BRICS Bloc: New Dynamics in Economic Partnership - Modern Diplomacy

Bangladesh has shown interest to become a member of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) bloc. Although some of the bloc members seek to establish an alternative global order that challenges the prevailing dominance of the United States and the US dollar, Bangladesh is currently evaluating the economic advantages of its membership within the bloc and not engaging into any bloc confrontation.Click here to read… [4]

Bangladesh FM Momen reiterates govt's commitment to free, fair polls - Daily Sabah

As Bangladesh gears up for the January 2024 general elections, the government has reiterated its commitment to holding a free and fair election. Speaking to the Daily Sabah recently, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister A. K. Abdul Momen dismissed any speculations after several Western countries raised their concerns over the polls.Click here to read… [5]

Bhutan

Bhutan tries electric bus as focus shifts to eco-friendly transport – Kuensel

The first electric bus launched yesterday will hit the Thimphu roads next week. Director of City Bus Services (CBS) Pasang Tshering said, “The electric bus will enter service along the trunk route between Babesa and Dangrina after a round of initial evaluation and staff training.” The 46-seater electric bus has 28 seats and 18 standing with automatic gear.Click here to read… [6]

Bhutan’s National Council Election 2023: A setback for women – Friedrich Naumann Foundation

The first electric bus launched yesterday will hit the Thimphu roads next week. Director of City Bus Services (CBS) Pasang Tshering said, “The electric bus will enter service along the trunk route between Babesa and Dangrina after a round of initial evaluation and staff training.” The 46-seater electric bus has 28 seats and 18 standing with automatic gear.Click here to read… [6]

Maldives

Maldives welcomes one millionth tourist of 2023 - Travel Trade Journal

The Maldives on July 16, 2023, welcomed the one millionth tourist for the year. The one millionth tourist arrival figure was achieved on August 12th last year, making this year’s achievement a full month ahead, and on course for H.E President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s national arrival target of 1.8 million tourists by the end of 2023.Click here to read… [7]

Myanmar

Myanmar pins hope on India-built Sittwe Port to boost Arakan economy - Economic Times

Sittwe Port will be a game changer in regional connectivity and boost its trade with India. The port, which is part of Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project, was opened on May 9. The project seeks to provide an alternative route for connectivity from India’s eastern coast to the north-eastern states through the Sittwe Port.Click here to read… [8]

EU imposes more sanctions on Myanmar officials and entities - Devi Discourse

The European Union on Thursday imposed a seventh round of sanctions on Myanmar in response to what it said was the escalation of violence and human rights violations since the 2021 military coup that overthrew elected leader Aung Suu Kyi. The new sanctions target six persons and one entity, including the ministers for immigration and population, labour, and health and sports, the EU said in a statement. "Restrictive measures currently apply to a total of 99 individuals and 19 entities.Click here to read… [9]

Crypto Bank Planned by Myanmar Shadow Government - Inside Bitcoins

Myanmar’s shadow government plans to launch a crypto bank and hopes it will help in its opposition to the ruling military junta. Spring Development Bank is scheduled for a soft launch on July 22 and is built on the Polygon blockchain, making domestic and international transactions smoother and providing easy access to various financial products globally.Click here to read… [10]

Nepal

India submits report to Nepal on Raxaul-Kathmandu railway line – Zee Business

India has submitted a final location survey report of the cross-border Raxaul-Kathmandu railway line to Nepal for its review and consideration. The development comes at a time when authorities in Beijing are also preparing a detailed feasibility study of a railway line which will link the Chinese border city of Kerung with Kathmandu.Click here to read… [11]

Numerical strength of Nepal Army comes into focus, once again – The Kathmandu Post

A debate is going on in Parliament, mainstream media and social media as to whether the Nepal Army should be downsized, right-sized, the status quo maintained, or if the size should be increased. The debate was first triggered by two members of Parliament, Bimala Rai Poudyal of the CPN-UML in the National Assembly and Swarnim Wagle of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, in the House of Representatives, and now opinions are divided.Click here to read… [12]

Nepali exports to US falling despite preferential treatment – The Kathmandu Post

The United States has granted trade preferential treatment to Nepal, but traders have not been able to benefit from it because they don't know how, experts said on Thursday. “We do not find conclusive evidence that the introduction of US trade preference for Nepal has increased exports,” said Parash Kharel, executive director of South Asia Watch of Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE).Click here to read… [13]

Pakistan

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, family acquitted in money laundering case – India Today

An accountability court in Pakistan acquitted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his family members on Thursday in a multi-million-dollar money laundering case after the anti-corruption agency failed to provide any solid evidence against them.Click here to read… [14]

Two policemen killed in Pakistan after militants attack security post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – Hindustan Times

Recently, Pakistan has been hit by a wave of terrorist activities orchestrated by the banned terror outfit. At least two Pakistani policemen were killed and as many injured when the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants attacked a police checkpoint in the country's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, media reports said on Thursday.Click here to read… [15]

Pakistan Election Commission announces tentative dates for general polls as PM set to handover power – India TV

Pakistan Election Commission official on Thursday announced a tentative date of the general polls and claimed that the country is fully prepared for holding the elections, Dawn reported. Quoting Election Commission Special Secretary Zafar Iqbal, it reported that polls would be held by October 11 if the National Assembly was dissolved on August 12, when its five-year term comes to an end.Click here to read… [16]

Sri Lanka

EAM Jaishankar meets Sri Lanka president during leader's 2-day India visit - Business Standard

Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar on Thursday met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is on a two-day official visit to India, and expressed confidence that his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will strengthen the relationship between the two countries. "Honoured to call on President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka during his India visit. Confident that his meeting with PM @narendramodi tomorrow will further strengthen our neighbourly bonds and take forward India's Neighbourhood First and SAGAR policies," Jaishankar said in a tweet.Click here to read… [17]

PM Narendra Modi To Hold Talks With President Of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe In New Delhi - Orissa Diary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks with President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi today, July 21. Mr. Wickremesinghe reached New Delhi yesterday on a two-day visit to India. Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan received him at the airport. This is Mr. Wickremesinghe’s first visit to India since assuming the office of President. External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar called on the Sri Lankan President last evening.Click here to read… [18]