Neighborhood News Digest – 17 August 2023

Afghanistan

China's Foreign Ministry: What Happened in Afghanistan 'Failure of US' – Tolo News

The fall of Kabul was a military and political "failure" of America, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry said on the anniversary of the Islamic Emirate’s two-year rule. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, August 15, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that Afghanistan has been stable for two years and the future of this country is now back in the hands of its people. Click here to read... [2]

Afghanistan's Taliban govt. marks two years since return to power – The Hindu

Afghanistan's Taliban government on Tuesday marked the second anniversary of their return to power, with supporters celebrating as critics denounced ever-tightening restrictions on women's rights. Flags of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan — the Taliban's formal name for the country — fluttered across the capital Kabul, which fell on August 15, 2021, after the U.S.-backed government collapsed and its leaders fled into exile. Click here to read... [3]

India continues its humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan – The Economic Times

India has partnered with the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) to supply humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, to the Afghan people. The Indian government has sent 47,500 MTs of wheat to UNWFP centres in Afghanistan, in addition to medical assistance. The UNWFP has praised India for its generous support. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

Bangladesh's trade-GDP ratio falls gradually despite economic growth - Fibre2Fashion

The ratio of Bangladesh's international trade to its growing economy has halved in the last decade, with exports and imports as a percentage of its gross domestic product (GDP) gradually falling despite the economy growing by 6.5 per cent annually. The ratio of import to GDP—21.2 per cent in fiscal 2013-14—halved to 10.69 per cent in 10 years, while the ratio of export to GDP fell sharper from 17.2 per cent a decade ago to 7.66 per cent in fiscal 2022-23, according to data by the Bangladesh Economic Review 2023. Click here to read... [5]

India, Bangladesh plan to set up 16 border haats to increase trade - Live mint

New Delhi and Dhaka are considering the establishment of 16 new border haats to increase the volume of trade between the two countries, according to Smita Pant, a senior diplomat in the Ministry of External Affairs. Click here to read... [6]

Bhutan

4th NA elections will not be expensive – Kuensel

Without compromising the quality and efficiency of conducting the elections, the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) could save millions with its cost-saving measures. Not printing the voter photo identity cards (VPICs) could save the commission Nu 7.386 million. The commission has discontinued issuing VPIC cards since the recent National Council (NC) and third local government elections. Click here to read... [7]

Bhutan: Harmonizing dreams with heritage – The Print

Amid the rush of Bhutanese individuals seeking knowledge and advancement abroad, a poignant shift is taking shape, a revival of interest in spiritual wisdom and cultural roots. This quest for equilibrium in the pursuit of personal aspirations has sparked a remarkable trend: a renewed reverence for Bhutan’s spiritual legacy among its diaspora, The Bhutan Live reported. Click here to read... [8]

Maldives

State Expenditure exceeds MVR 28 billion - Raajje

The state expenditure reached MVR 28 billion by 10 August, 2023. Statistics revealed by the Ministry of Finance show that the government expenditure is more than the amount they spent during the same period last year. As such, while the state has so far spent MVR 28.5 billion in 2023, for the same period of 2022, the government expenditure was recorded at MVR 24.8 billion. Click here to read... [9]

Myanmar

Reappraising Myanmar Military Statecraft - The Irrawaddy

There were big changes in Myanmar in recent weeks with the extension of the state of emergency and a cabinet reshuffle and, most dramatically, the masthead of the venerable Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper received a stylish makeover. Yet closer observers of the Myanmar military regime’s mercurial propaganda machine would have noticed a recent pruning of the political, economic and social objectives of the State Administration Council (SAC) in official media, from 12 down to nine. Following the extension of the state of emergency, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing briefed senior officials on the revamped priorities. What was clipped, and what was made over? Click here to read... [10]

Women’s organizations remain at the front line of the crisis response in Myanmar - UN Women

Landmines, planted after the military coup in 2021, are causing soaring numbers of civilian casualties. Women and girls who dare to venture into rural fields alone, also face threats of sexual violence. A UN Women survey of 2,200 women in Myanmar found that half of them were afraid to leave their immediate neighbourhoods. Click here to read... [11]

Nepal

Former Nepal PM Oli against ‘misuse’ of open border with India by ‘unwanted elements’ – The Print

Former Nepal prime minister KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday said that the people of Nepal and India should benefit from the open border that exists between the two countries, but cautioned against its “misuse” by “unwanted elements”. Click here to read... [12]

Nepal PM 'Prachanda' To Embark On 10-Day US & China Visit On September 16 – Outlook

Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” will leave for a ten-day official visit to the US and China on September 16. Prachanda will travel to the US first, where he will attend the 78th United Nations General Assembly, scheduled to take place in New York from September 18 to 26, the prime minister said while interacting with editors of major newspapers here on Tuesday. Click here to read... [13]

Nepal PM likely to sign power pact with China during Sept trip – The Economic Times

Nepal's Prime Minister Prachanda's visit to China in September could result in a power trading, according to sources in Kathmandu. A cross-border transmission line between China and Nepal via the district of Rasuwa is expected to be agreed upon. Nepal also wants to learn best practices in agriculture from China. Click here to read... [14]

Can ex-President Bhandari’s political comeback spoil Oli’s ‘one-man show’? – The Kathmandu Post

On Sunday, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli objected to the possible return of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari to active politics saying that the rumour was designed to create trouble within his party. Following his statement, broader discussions on whether the former President can join active politics have started. Click here to read... [15]

Pakistan

Top lawyers body seeks Supreme Court’s intervention for timely elections – Dawn

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) filed a plea in the apex court on Wednesday, requesting it to direct the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce a date for holding the general elections within the constitutionally mandated period of 90 days following the dissolution of the National Assembly on August 9. Click here to read... [16]

Mobs Vandalise 4 Churches In Pakistan Over Blasphemy Allegations – NDTV

At least four churches and some buildings around them have been ransacked over blasphemy allegations in Pakistan's Punjab today. The mobs also demolished the house of a Christian cleaner who was accused of carrying out a blasphemous act. Click here to read... [17]

Pakistan hikes petrol, diesel prices again – The Indian Express

Pakistan announced a further increase in petrol and high-speed diesel prices Tuesday, the finance ministry said in a statement, the second hike in a month. The price of petrol would be raised by 17.50 Pakistani rupees to 290.45 rupees per litre effective Aug. 16, the ministry said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. High-speed diesel will now cost 293.40 rupees per litre after an increase of 20 rupees. Click here to read... [18]

Security increased for Chinese nationals in Pakistan after failed terror attack – India Today

Security has been increased for Chinese nationals working in Pakistan in the aftermath of a failed terror attack targeting them in the port town of Gwadar in the restive Balochistan province, sources said on Tuesday. The Chinese consulate in Karachi confirmed the Sunday attack on its citizens who were travelling in a military convoy in Gwadar, working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. Click here to read... [19]

Sri Lanka

India hands over Indian Navy Dornier aircraft to Sri Lanka Air Force - WIONEWS

In a significant development highlighting strong bilateral ties and collaboration, the Indian Navy Dornier aircraft was officially handed over to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) during a ceremony held at SLAF Base Katunayake on Wednesday. The event witnessed the ceremonial transfer of the aircraft by the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay to Sagala Ratnayaka, the Chief of Staff and Senior Adviser to the President on National Security of Sri Lanka. The Gathering included senior officials from the Sri Lanka Air Force, and the Indian Defense Adviser, highlighting the importance of this occasion. Click here to read... [20]

China assures Sri Lanka help in addressing debt challenges before IMF's first review - Hindustan Times

Sri Lanka's largest bilateral creditor, China, has assured the island nation its help in effectively addressing the debt challenges as it has to finalise the external and domestic debt restructuring of a whopping USD 41 billion by September before the IMF's first review. Click here to read... [21]