Neighborhood News Digest –20 October 2023

Afghanistan

Tajikistan’ President unveils 24 new border posts along Afghanistan border – The Khaama Press

Imam Ali Rahman, Tajikistan’s President, opened 24 new border posts on his visit to the Khatlon province, strengthening security along the Afghanistan border. Imomali Rahmon had previously stated that due to security threats, Tajikistan needed hundreds of security facilities along the border with Afghanistan. On Thursday, Tajikistan’s Asia Plus news agency reported that the new security posts have been established in the districts of Lakhsh, Shamsiddin Shohin, Rushan, Ishkoshim, Murgab, and Kharugh. Click here to read... [2]

Taliban says it will join China's Belt and Road Initiative, Pak economic corridor – India Today

The Taliban administration wants to formally join Chinese President Xi Jinping's huge 'Belt and Road' infrastructure initiative and will send a technical team to China for talks, Afghanistan's Acting Commerce Minister said on Thursday. Beijing has sought to develop its ties with the Taliban-run government since it took over in 2021, even though no other foreign government has recognised the administration. Click here to read... [3]

Iran’s Interior Minster calls for ‘Illegal’ Afghan migrants to leave– The Khaama Press

The Minister of Interior of the Islamic Republic of Iran has stated that “illegal” Afghan migrants should leave Iran.Ahmad Vahidi added, “We are organizing those who are legal and have visas.”He also said that creating divisions between the people of Iran and Afghan migrants is the work of “hypocrites.” Click here to read... [4]

Kakar: Pakistan, Russia Share Common Interest Against Terrorism – Tolo News

Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, Pakistan's caretaker prime minister, said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Moscow and Islamabad have a common interest in fighting terrorism in Afghanistan. In a meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, Kakar noted that the steps taken to fight terrorism should be carried out in a coordinated manner. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Bangladesh Secures Potential $681M IMF Loan Amidst Economic Challenges - Investing.com

Bangladesh has reached a preliminary agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that could unlock $681 million from a $4.7 billion loan package, subject to IMF board approval. The staff-level agreement was made on necessary policies for the first review of the loan program, according to a statement released on Thursday. Click here to read... [6]

Bangladeshis to decide how election will be held in their country: India - TBS News

The people of Bangladesh will decide how to hold the next national election in their country, Arindam Bagchi, spokesman for India's external affairs ministry has said. "The Bangladeshi people will determine how the election will take place. As a neighbour, India wants a stable and democratic government-run Bangladesh," he said on Monday. Bagchi said this while exchanging views with a visiting media team from Bangladesh at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. Click here to read... [7]

Bhutan

Bhutan: National Council adopts Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities – The Print

Bhutan’s National Council adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Bay of Bengal initiative for multi-sectoral technical and economic cooperation charter, The Bhutan Live reported on Thursday. Click here to read... [8]

Maldives

Exclusive video interview with Ambassador Wang Lixin: Bridge to prosperity: China-Maldives strong bilateral ties- The Edition

In a video interview with Ambassador Wang Lixin: Bridge to prosperity: China-Maldives strong bilateral ties. "On this auspicious occasion, we celebrate not just the founding of the People's Republic of China but also the enduring friendship between our two nations. China and the Maldives have a long history of cooperation and mutual respect. Our partnership is built on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and sincere collaboration," Ambassador Lixin said. In an exclusive interview with The Edition, Ambassador Lixin emphasized the steadfast growth of bilateral ties between the Maldives and China due to the strategic guidance of the leaders of both nations. The ambassador said that more initiatives are being planned to promote people to people exchange in areas such as sports, youth and local cooperation. Click here to read... [9]

Israel is committing war crimes: Maldives- The Edition

Speaking at the Extraordinary meeting of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held on Wednesday, State Minister of the Maldivian Foreign Ministry Ahmed Khaleel condemned the continuous Israeli attacks on Palestinians, including children. The Foreign Minister stated that; Israel is committing war crimes against Palestinians in contravention with international laws, and further states that; he stated that Israel's actions are in violation of international laws, UN Security Council resolutions, and OIC resolutions. Click here to read... [10]

Myanmar

ASEAN denounce Myanmar attack on displaced persons - Asia News Network

ASEAN has denounced the reported bombardment of a camp for displaced people in Myanmar’s Kachin State. The attack occurred about ten days ago and purportedly resulted in the deaths of 28 civilians, including at least 12 children. “We, the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), are deeply concerned over and condemn the reported bombing that impacted an internally displaced persons camp in the Munglai Hkyet, Kachin State, on October 9, which claimed the lives of many civilians, including children,” it said, in an October 17 statement. Click here to read... [11]

Resistance Destroys Junta Camp as Battle for Myanmar’s Kachin State Intensifies - The Irrawaddy

Combined forces of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People’s Defense Force (PDF) seized a military communications camp in Shwegu Township, Kachin State on Wednesday. Resistance fighters from KIA Battalion 12 and Shwegu PDF launched an early-morning attack on the camp of around 60 soldiers, near Nga Bat Gyi village on the Shwegu-Bhamo road. The resistance force retrieved the body of a junta soldier killed in the clash, along with weapons, ammunition and rations, Shwegu PDF reported. Click here to read... [12]

Nepal

1,200 Indians, 18 Nepali Nationals Brought Back From Israel Under 'Operation Ajay', Says MEA - ABP Live

Around 1200 Indian nationals, including 18 Nepalis, have been brought back from Israel as part of 'Operation Ajay,' and more flights will be scheduled as needed, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also stated that the Israeli government is assessing the situation in the midst of the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Click here to read... [13]

Will China’s investment gobble Nepal’s airport like Srilankan port - Times of India

Nepal's Pokhara International Airport, predominantly financed by China, faces an uncertain future. An investigative report by The New York Times has exposed the airport's underutilization, with few international flights apart from chartered Chinese ones. The project was managed by China CAMC Engineering, prioritizing profit and safeguarding interests, pushing Nepal into debt without the expected passenger traffic to repay the loans. Despite its formal inauguration, the airport's association with China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was rejected by the Nepali government. Similar to Sri Lanka's Hambantota Port, the airport might become another financial burden for Nepal. Click here to read... [14]

Pakistan

Pakistan conducts successful flight test of ‘Ababeel’ weapon system– Dawn

Pakistan conducted a successful flight test of the Ababeel Weapon System on Wednesday, the military’s media wing said.In a statement, the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) said, “Pakistan today conducted a successful flight test of Ababeel Weapon System. The test flight was aimed at re-validating various design, technical parameters and performance evaluation of different sub-systems of the weapon system.” Click here to read... [15]

Pakistan court grants bail to ex-PM Nawaz Sharif ahead of return to country – The Hindu

A Pakistan court granted bail Thursday to former prime minister and graft convict Nawaz Sharif, removing the threat of arrest when he returns to the country from self-imposed exile this weekend, his lawyer said.After nearly four years in the United Kingdom, Sharif is hoping to lead his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party through elections scheduled for January 2024. Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan blindly trusts China, says Kakar – The Express Tribune

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, underscored the ‘blind’ trust Pakistan places in China, referring to their bilateral partnership as one made “in heaven.”He emphasized that Pakistan's commitment to the strategic partnership with China would remain steadfast, and they would not allow anything to undermine it. Click here to read... [17]

E&P companies: Petroleum Division fails to recover billions of rupees – Business Recorder

The Petroleum Division has failed to recover billions of rupees from exploration and production companies in the oil and gas sector on account of royalty, training fund, and social welfare on 40 wells. The Prime Minister Secretariat as well as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) directed repeatedly to the Petroleum Division for recovery pending against a number of E&P companies. Click here to read... [18]

Sri Lanka

IMF seeks strong budget, narrower deficit from Sri Lanka- Reuters

Sri Lanka reached a staff level agreement with the IMF late on October 19, to release the second tranche of about SDR 254 million ($330 million) but still needs approval from the IMF management and Executive Board.IMF mission chief for the country, Mr. Peter Breuer, stated that;the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is looking for a strong budget and narrower deficit from Sri Lanka as it seeks funding to bridge the gap between government revenue and expenditure. The approval for the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement, from the IMF Executive Board, would bring the total IMF financial support disbursed under the arrangement to SDR 508 million (about US$660 million). Click here to read... [19]

Launching a Special Initiative to Strengthen Climate Resilience in Tropical Nations – News.lk

President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressed at the high-level conference “Green silk road for harmony with nature” held at the China International Conference Hall on October 18, in conjunction with the 3rd “Belt and Road Initiative” International forum. President emphasized that the world’s most biodiverse regions are found in tropical countries and he proposed the launch of a dedicated program to support these nations in addressing future climate change challenges.The conference was chaired by Mr. Han Zheng, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres and leaders from other participating countries also shared their insights. Click here to read... [20]

Leaders of Vietnam and Sri Lanka hold bilateral discussions- News.lk

President Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in bilateral talks with President Vo Van Thuong during the “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI) international forum in Beijing. During the meeting, President Vo Van Thuong underlined this commitment in strengthening ties between the two countries. The discussions between the leaders covered various critical issues impacting both nations.To bolster the relationship between Sri Lanka and Vietnam, it was agreed to formulate a comprehensive action plan, with the foreign ministers of both countries taking the lead. Click here to read... [21]