Neighborhood News Digest – 4 August 2023

Afghanistan

Pakistan, Afghanistan border dispute heats up creating security quagmire – The Print

Pakistan’s unfriendly approach towards its border areas with Afghanistan has resulted in a security quagmire for both countries, reported Khaama Press. The vision of forcing the new Afghan administration to accept its position on the contentious Durand Line has been blurred by the regular scuffles along the border. Click here to read... [2]

Kabul Denies Pakistan's Claims of Afghan Involvement in Attack – Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate rejects Pakistan's allegations that Afghan citizens were involved in the attack on the country's military base that occurred on July 12. The Islamic Emirate spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that such claims are not in the interest of either country or their people. Mujahid said on Twitter that Afghanistan is not a threat against any country, including Pakistan. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

Climate change impact threatens Bangladesh’s agri sector: experts - NewageBD

Climate change’s impact on Bangladesh’s agriculture and economy is causing significant concern, as the annual GDP could shrink by 1.0 to 2.0 per cent due to its consequences, but investment in climate adaptation measures could save billions and secure the country’s future food security, said experts on Wednesday. Click here to read... [4]

BBS: Unemployment decreases by 3.47% in Bangladesh - Dhaka Tribune

The number of unemployed people in Bangladesh came down by 3.47% in the April-June quarter compared to the previous quarter this year, according to data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). Now Bangladesh has 2.5 million unemployed people. The country had 2.59 million unemployed people as of the January-March quarter of 2023. Click here to read... [5]

Bhutan

Switzerland and Bhutan: A unique friendship and a new future – Kuensel

Switzerland is celebrating the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the modern Swiss Federal State in 1848. It is the birthday of Switzerland and its institutions as we know them today. We at the Swiss Embassy made a decision to celebrate this milestone of Switzerland’s history right here in Thimphu. I have therefore arrived here with a Swiss business delegation to further strengthen our trade and investment partnership with Bhutan. Click here to read... [6]

Bhutan Foreign Secy’s India visit: Numerous projects inaugurated, matters of mutual interest discussed – The Print

The primary goal of the visit of the Foreign Secretary of Bhutan, Aum Pema Choden to India was to evaluate mutual collaboration between India and Bhutan and expand it to new areas. Foreign Secretary of Bhutan accepted an invitation from Foreign Secretary of India Vinay Kwatra to undertake an official visit to India and arrived in the national capital on a 2-day visit from July 28-29, Bhutan Live reported. Click here to read... [7]

Maldives

"Any PPM administration, regardless of leader, will cause destabilization": Pres Solih - Avas

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that any administration led by the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), regardless of who the president is, could lead to destabilization and a rule marked by violence in the country. Click here to read... [8]

Sichuan Airlines resumes flights to Maldives - Edition

Sichuan Airlines, one of China's leading carriers, has resumed direct flights to the Maldives on August 1. The resumption of direct flights by Sichuan Airlines signifies the continued strong arrival momentum of Chinese tourists to the Maldives. The airline's resumption flight carrying 186 passengers landed at Velana International Airport (VIA) at 06:05 p.m. on Tuesday evening, and it was welcomed with a special water salute. Click here to read... [9]

Myanmar

New rail line from Mizoram to Myanmar border will boost Act East Policy - East Mojo

As a part of the Act East Policy, Indian Railways is planning to link the Myanmar border in Mizoram by rail. The Railway Board has recently accorded its approval
for the Final Location Survey (FLS) of the 223 km stretch from Sairang (Aizawl) to Hbichhuah in Mizoram, near the Myanmar border. Click here to read... [10]

Myanmar's weather agency warns of potential floods in southern states - Dajji World

Myanmar's Meteorology and Hydrology Department has issued a warning of potential flood risks, as river levels in some townships of the southern states approach or exceed their danger marks. Click here to read... [11]

Nepal

Massive outflow of youth from Nepal: A security issue in the making – ORF

Nepal is in the last phase of completing the 15th Five-Year Plan (2019-2023). One of the major objectives of all the plans was to create employment opportunities in the country, but the country has miserably failed to deliver the expected results on this front. The lack of employment opportunities at home compelled most of the youth to leave the country. Each year the number of youths leaving the country both through legal and illegal channels is increasing. If such a trend continues unabated, it could pose security challenges both within and outside the region. Click here to read... [12]

Constitutional Council nominates Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha for new chief justice – The Kathmandu Post

The meeting of the Constitutional Council has decided to nominate the seniormost justice of the Supreme Court Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha for the new Chief Justice. The meeting of the Constitutional Council held Thursday unanimously nominated seniormost justice Shrestha for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, said National Assembly chair Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, who is also a member of the council. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

On Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s new offer for talks, India’s 3-line response – Hindustan Times

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said the two countries cannot be “normal neighbours” unless serious issues are addressed through meaningful discussions. India on Thursday responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s latest offer of talks to normalise bilateral relations by saying that an “environment free of terror and hostility is imperative” for any engagements between the two countries. Click here to read... [14]

Pakistan's Cabinet approves new security pact with US – Firstpost

In a move that indicates a fresh start in defence cooperation after years, Pakistan’s Cabinet has quietly approved the signing of a new security pact with the United States. The development may open avenues for Islamabad to get military hardware from Washington, a media report said on Thursday. The Cabinet has given its approval to sign the Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CIS-MOA) between Pakistan and the US, as reported by The Express Tribune newspaper. Click here to read... [15]

Sri Lanka

Indian Rupee not legal tender for domestic payments: Sri Lanka Central Bank - Deccan Herald

Sri Lanka's Central Bank said on Wednesday that no domestic transactions would be allowed with the Indian Rupee in the island country, as it warned people not to be misled by inaccurate information surrounding the issue. Click here to read... [16]

Japan explores to revive key infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka - Economic Times

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister of Japan Hayashi Yoshimasa have discussed several Japanese-funded projects such as the Light Rail Transit (LRT), the East Terminal, the Kandy Development Plan, Central Highway, and the expansion of the Bandaranaike International Airport. Click here to read... [17]