Neighborhood News Digest – 27 September 2023

Afghanistan

Afghanistan Currency Is World's Best-Performing Currency This Quarter: Report – NDTV

The currency of Taliban-controlled Afghanistan has emerged as the best-performing currency in the world this quarter, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The Afghani has witnessed a remarkable nine per cent rise in value during this period, primarily propelled by the influx of billions of dollars in humanitarian aid and increased trade with Asian neighbouring countries, the outlet further said. Since seizing power two years ago, the Taliban have implemented several measures to maintain a firm hold on its currency.Click here to read… [2]

China’s dichotomous ties with the Taliban and Uyghurs – ORF

On 13 September, Afghanistan’s acting Prime Minister, Mohammad Hasan Akhund, and the Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, welcomed China’s newly appointed ambassador, Zhao Sheng, at the presidential palace in Kabul. Subsequently, the Chinese embassy in Afghanistan urged the international community to continue engaging in dialogue with the Taliban and, in turn, encouraged the Taliban to adopt moderate policies and establish an inclusive government.Click here to read… [3]

Kabul, Islamabad Discuss Afghan Immigrants' Situation in Pakistan – Tolo News

Following reports about the detention and mistreatment of Afghan immigrants in Pakistan by the Pakistani police, the Islamic Emirate's spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said that they have discussed the issue with Pakistani officials. Mujahid said that Pakistani officials pledged that they would not harass Afghan immigrants.Click here to read… [4]

Bangladesh

China supports Bangladesh in opposing external interference: Ambassador - Daily Excelsior

Chinese ambassador in Dhaka Yao Wen has said his country supports Bangladesh in opposing ‘external interference’ to keep internal stability and achieve development. “China supports Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and in opposing external interference, so that the country can maintain domestic unity and stability and achieve development and revitalisation,” he said.Click here to read… [5]

AIIB pledges $4.5 billion to Bangladesh for climate projects and other sector- Investing.com

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), led by China, has pledged to provide Bangladesh with a $4.5 billion loan over the next five years, as stated by the finance ministry of Bangladesh on Tuesday. The funding will be allocated to climate-related projects and other sectors within the country. This announcement follows the conclusion of the AIIB's annual general meeting held in Egypt.Click here to read… [6]

Bhutan

Bhutan Backs India, Japan Inclusion In UN Council As Permanent Members – NDTV

Supporting India's bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council, Bhutan Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji has said that Bhutan continues to believe that in a reformed Council, India and Japan must be included as permanent members as well as members from the African Union.Click here to read… [7]

Maldives

Former Maldives FM Joins Dr Muizzu - MENAFN

Former Maldives Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon announced that she has joined the PPM and will support Presidential candidate Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Issuing a statement, Maumoon said that she was returning home with unwavering commitment and conviction to elect Dr Muizzu as the next President of Maldives.Click here to read… [8]

Maldives: The presidential poll with India and China on the ballot - BBC

The island nation which consists of about 1,200 coral islands and atolls in the middle of the Indian Ocean will see a run-off poll between President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and opposition candidate Mohamed Muizzu on 30 September. But also on the ballot are India and China. Both countries are trying to strengthen their presence in the strategically located islands which straddle busy east-west shipping lanes. Maldives' two presidential contenders, who have been crisscrossing the islands by airplanes and boats to canvass voters, each represent a different Asian power.Click here to read… [9]

Myanmar

Myanmar shutdowns spark boost in Chinese rare earth production quotas for 2023 - report - Kitco

According to Adamas Intelligence, China raised its full year rare earth (REE) production quotas for 2023 due to current uncertainty in Myanmar. The consultancy said that overall, mining quotas for REE have been increased to 240,000 tonnes this year (up 14%) while smelting and separation quotas have been increased to 230,000 tonnes (up 14%). According to the report, China Northern Rare Earth Group is once again the main benefactor of the quota increases whereas middle and heavy rare earth quotas have gone virtually unchanged for nearly 6 years straight - speaking to the scarcity of associated resources in China.Click here to read… [10]

At UN, South-east Asian nations push for peace in Myanmar, South China Sea, Ukraine - Strait Times

South-east Asian countries took to the world’s largest diplomatic stage at the United Nations to call for a peaceful settlement of conflicts in Myanmar, the disputed South China Sea and Ukraine. In their speeches at the high-level debate of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA), held over the past week in New York, Asean member states pushed to maintain peace, security and prosperity in the region and the rest of the world.Click here to read… [11]

Nepal

Nepal PM Prachanda meets China Communist Party politburo member – Devdiscourse

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Tuesday met Yuan Jiajun, a politburo member of the Chinese Community Party (CCP), and both the leaders exchanged views on consolidating close and friendly relations, particularly in the areas of agriculture, tourism and trade promotion.Click here to read… [12]

Nepal assures China it is against ‘Taiwan independence’ – The Kathmandu Post

Reiterating its firm commitment to the one-China principle, Nepal has assured China that it is against ‘Taiwan independence’. “The Nepali side reiterated its firm commitment to the one-China principle. Recognising that the government of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, the Nepali side is against Taiwan independence,” reads a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese Foreign Ministry.Click here to read… [13]

Nepal says ‘no’ to China’s Global Security Initiative, but takes forward border rail plan as Prachanda visits Beijing – The Hindu

Nepal on Tuesday appeared to reject calls from China to join President Xi Jinping’s Global Security Initiative (GSI), but agreed to take forward ambitious cross-border connectivity projects during the visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda to Beijing. A lengthy joint statement released by the two sides outlined a number of border infrastructure projects, but failed to mention the GSI.Click here to read… [14]

Pakistan

US envoy to Pakistan makes ‘secret’ visit to Gilgit Baltistan, local politicians up in arms – The Print

US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome’s secret visits to the Gilgit Baltistan region and the Gwadar port this month have stoked controversy in the neighbouring country, with political leaders questioning the envoy’s “suspicious” motives and accusing the West of neo-colonialism.Click here to read… [15]

Pakistan secures $5.4bn inflows over two months – Dawn

On the back of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) stimulus, Pakistan’s foreign financing inflows rose over six times to $5.41 billion in the first two months (July-August) of the current fiscal year, against just $439 million during the same period last year.Click here to read… [16]

Sri Lanka

Chinese vessel Shi Yan 6 enters Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka sends mixed signals - Hindustan Times

Even as Ranil Wickremesinghe government is sending mixed signals over permission to Chinese research vessel to dock at Colombo port in October, Shi Yan 6 ship has entered the Indian Ocean and its current location is mid-ocean 90 East Ridge and heading towards Sri Lanka.Click here to read… [17]

Sri Lanka plans to attract 2.5 million tourists in 2024 - Deccan Chronicle

Sri Lanka, which has been on the path of recovery after internal political turmoil, has set a target to attract 2.5 million tourists in 2024 to boost it's economy. Nalin Perera, director general of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority shared the details during the island nation's roadshow in the city to promote tourism weeks after West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee met SL president Ranil Wickremesinghe at Dubai Airport on her way to Spain.Click here to read… [18]