Neighborhood News Digest – 01 December 2023

Afghanistan

Delegation of Religious Scholars of Islamic Countries Arrives in Kabul- Tolo News

A delegation of religious scholars from Islamic countries led by Dr. Ali al-Qaradaghi arrived in Kabul on Thursday to meet with the officials of the Islamic Emirate. The delegation will discuss various issues with the Islamic Emirate including the provision of humanitarian assistance to expelled refugees. Click here to read... [2]

Punjab: Imports from Afghanistan via Attari ICP surge by 130%- Hindustan Times

The Integrated Check Post (ICP), which facilitates India’s trade with Pakistan and Afghanistan and movement of passengers from India to Pakistan and vice-versa, has recorded imports of items worth ₹689.29 crore from the Taliban-ruled country from November 2022 to October 2023 against ₹296.29 crore in the corresponding period last fiscal. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

Not concerned over US policy on workers’ rights - The Daily Star

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen yesterday said there was nothing to worry about regarding the recently-launched US policy on workers' rights, as businesses in Bangladesh and the US are operated by the private sector. He was asked about a recent letter sent by the Bangladesh embassy in Washington to the commerce ministry in Bangladesh, regarding the possible measures, like trade penalties and visa restrictions, over labour rights issues. Click here to read... [4]

No ‘successful infiltration’ along Bangladesh border, says BSF D-G – The Hindu

No “successful infiltration” is taking place along the Bangladesh border, Border Security Force (BSF) Director-General Nitin Agrawal said on Thursday, adding that appropriate action is taken if someone is caught entering India through illegal means. “In our knowledge, no successful infiltration is taking place. They also know it is not easy now, no one is spared if caught. Action is taken and they are handed back to Bangladesh,” Mr. Agrawal said. Click here to read... [5]

Bhutan

Bhutan honoured for best sustainable tourism – Kuensel

Bhutan was bestowed with the esteemed award—Best Sustainability Initiative—by a Destination at the 2023 Luxury Travel Gold List Awards Australia. Sonam Tobgay, the Bhutanese Ambassador to Australia, accepted this accolade during the awards ceremony in Sydney yesterday. Click here to read... [6]

Bhutan votes in preliminary round of national elections – Reuters

Bhutan began voting on Thursday in the preliminary round of national elections to choose two political parties that will contest the fourth free vote since democracy was established in the Himalayan kingdom 15 years ago. Nestled between China and India, Bhutan is known for its Gross National Happiness (GNH) index, an economic gauge that takes into account factors normally ignored by gross domestic product measures, like recreation and emotional well-being. Click here to read... [6]

PDP slapped Nu 75,000 for violating election rules – Kuensel

After almost a day-long hearing and discussions yesterday, the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) decided to impose a fine of Nu 75,000 on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for violating electoral laws. The general secretaries of the four political parties—Druk Phuensum Tshogpa, Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa, Bhutan Tendrel Party, and the Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa—appealed to the ECB concerning a video posted by the PDP President on the last day of the campaign from Tashigang on the party’s social media page. They demanded the PDP to be disqualified from contesting the National Assembly election today. Click here to read... [7]

Maldives

Maldives calls on International Criminal Court to investigate Israeli war crimes– PSM News

Maldives has called on the International Criminal Court to investigate war crimes committed by Israel. The statement was made by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in his message on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. In his message, President Muizzu reasserted the unwavering support to the people and the government of the State of Palestine in their legitimate right for full sovereignty and to live in peace with safety and security. He also said the Maldives condemns, in the strongest terms, Israel’s war against Palestine, the brutal occupation and collective punishment being committed by Israel against the innocent civilians of Palestine. Click here to read... [8]

Pres. discusses expansion of short-term training programs for Maldivians in Türkiye- Raajje

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has engaged in discussions regarding the potential expansion of short-term training programs for Maldivians seeking higher education in universities of Türkiye. The discussions were held during a courtesy call paid on the Maldivian leader by the Minister of National Education of the Republic of Türkiye Yusuf Tekin on November 28. Click here to read... [9]

Myanmar

1300 Myanmar refugees taking shelter in Manipur’s Kamjong: Officials- Hindustan Times

The crackdown of the military on rebel groups in Myanmar border villages has triggered a mass influx of Myanmar nationals into Manipur. About 1300 Myanmarese, who fled their country in the past few days amid the unrest, have taken refuge in Kamjong, a border district in Manipur. Click here to read... [10]

Myanmar participates in Forum on Aligning BRI with ASEAN Connectivity Master Plan-GNLM

Myanmar delegation led by Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism Dr Thet Thet Khine attended a forum on “Enhancing Connectivity and Sharing Prosperity: Achievements and Prospects of Aligning BRI with Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025” hosted by the ASEAN-China Centre in Vientiane of Lao People’s Democratic Republic from 26 to 29 November. Click here to read... [11]

Nepal

Nepal, India hold project portfolio performance review meeting- Kathmandu Post

Indian and Nepali officials on November 30, reviewed projects being constructed with Indian assistance. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu stated that the discussions were held on ongoing projects in various sectors under the India–Nepal development cooperation framework both, under grant assistance as well as, under various lines of credit. The Indian side was led by Ambassador Srivastava while the Nepali side by Finance Minister Mahat. Click here to read... [12]

PM Dahal invites business community of UAE to invest in Nepal- The Himalayan Times

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' stated that Nepal required a huge investment in infrastructure, human resource, and technology to graduate from the LDC category by 2026. Addressing the Nepal-Business Forum entitled 'Investment Potential in Nepal: An Interaction with Dubai Business Communities" in the UAE, the PM invited the vibrant business community of the UAE to invest in Nepal. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

Final delimitation brightens prospects of polls in February – Dawn

The prospect of general elections in February 2024 seemed to become brighter on Thurs­day, as the Election Commi­ssion of Pakistan (ECP) published the final delimitation list of constituencies for national and provincial assemblies. Click here to read... [14]

Karachi industrialists announce shutdown on December 4 – Dawn

Industrialists in the economic nerve centre of Pakistan have announced a complete production shutdown on Monday (Dec 4) to force the caretaker government to reverse the unprecedented hikes in the gas tariffs. They estimate a per day export loss of $47 million from the port city. Click here to read... [15]

Petitions seeking poll delay land before ECP – Arab News

With rumour mills continuously churning to create doubts about conduct of general polls on February 8, two separate petitions seeking the postponement of elections landed before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), a day before the commission is slated to publish final delimitation lists, Dawn reports. Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan Cabinet Approves Ex-PM Imran Khan's Jail Trial In Cipher Case – NDTV world

Pakistan's Cabinet on Thursday approved the jail trial of former prime minister Imran Khan in the cipher case after the special court's decision to conduct in-prison proceedings due to security reasons. Following the court order, the report for the jail trial was moved by the Ministry of Law and Justice and it was approved by the Cabinet, Geo News quoted officials as saying. Click here to read... [17]

Sri Lanka

SL gearing up for elections in 2024: UK – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka is among the South Asian countries gearing up for elections at different levels in 2024, alongside India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Maldives, the UK government said. In response to a written question in UK Parliament about the South Asian countries elections, Anne-Marie Trevelyan Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), stated that India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Maldives are all expected to hold elections at different levels in 2024. Click here to read... [18]

Diplomatic inning by Indian envoy – Daily Mirror

In the wake of reports about Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and deposed Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe having talks with Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay on the Sri Lanka cricket crisis, an authoritative source said it is the legitimate duty of the Indian envoy to respond to calls for meetings with political leaders. India was first dragged into Sri Lanka’s cricket crisis after former Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga charged that Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Jay Shah was “running” and “ruining” Sri Lanka Cricket. However, President Ranil Wickremesinghe called Mr. Shah and expressed regret over the remarks. Click here to read... [19]

President leads delegation for COP 28 Summit in Dubai – Daily News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe left yesterday morning (30) to attend the COP 28 World Leader’s Summit to be held in Dubai. President Wickremesinghe will submit three special proposals this year for the International Conference on Climate Change or “COP 28”. The three proposals are to create a climate university in Sri Lanka, to establish a climate justice forum for third world countries that are inconvenienced by the activities of developed countries, and to establish a forum for tropical rainforests. Click here to read... [20]