Neighborhood News Digest- 03 January 2024

Afghanistan

Work on 500 Projects Continues Across Afghanistan: Deputy PM-Tolo News

The deputy prime minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, said that work on more than 500 small and big development projects is being continued across Afghanistan. He further said that, work on Wakhan avenue is underway, which will connect Afghanistan to China. Click here to read... [2]

Pakistan's Deportations of Afghans Has Decreased: Mujahid-Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate’s spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, said that the deportation of Afghan refugees by Pakistan has recently dropped compared to the initial days when Pakistan began expelling undocumented Afghans from its soil in early November last year. According to Mujahid, nearly 2,000 families are crossing to Afghanistan on a daily basis, which he said shows a significant reduction. Click here to read... [3]

Tajikistan, Pakistan Nationals Involved in Attacks: Yaqoob Mujahid- Tolo News

The acting Defense Minister, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid on the last day of 2023, in the news conference of the Security and Clearing Affairs Commission, in the government media center, while presenting the security achievements in the last 12 months, said that after the Islamic Emirate came to power, in most of the attacks on mosques, the monasteries, religious scholars and popular gatherings were carried out, Tajikistan and Pakistan fighters were involved. Click here to read... [4]

UAE delegation at UN asserts defense of women’s Rights in Afghanistan-The Khama Press

As the United Arab Emirates’ non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council ends, the country’s delegation has stated that it has defended the rights of women, peace, and security in Afghanistan over the past two years. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Barishal-2: 40 hurt, 18 bikes torched as supporters of AL, independent clash - The Daily Star

At least 40 people were injured as the supporters of Awami League and an independent candidates for Barishal-2 constituency clashed in the district's Banaripara yesterday. Click here to read... [6]

Swing voters hold the key – The Daily Star

The fate of Mymensingh-4 constituency hinges on the votes of 11 unions, including five in char areas (shallow lands that rise from a river when water level decreases). There are 339,529 voters in the 33 city corporation wards and an additional 310,755 voters in the 11 unions under Mymensingh-4 constituency. Click here to read... [7]

Bangladesh fulfills IMF conditions on reserves – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh has fulfilled the conditions of foreign exchange reserves given by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Even though most of the country's banks are in a dollar crunch, Bangladesh Bank has collected dollars from various banks to maintain reserves as per IMF conditions. In addition to import control, Bangladesh Bank has succeeded in preserving reserves as a result of multi-faceted activities to encourage a sending of remittances through banking channels, continued growth of export income and quick loan disbursement from the IMF. Click here to read... [8]

Bilateral trade between India, Bangladesh down during pre-election season - Business Standard

The India-Bangladesh bilateral trade, already strained by economic headwinds during the year, has dampened in some land ports due to the upcoming general elections in the neighbouring country, exporters said on Tuesday. Bangladesh is set to hold its 12th general election on January 7 and the pre-election atmosphere has cast a shadow on the cross-border trade. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan

Bhutan Foundation Signs Project Mikhung 2.0 to Empower Local Communities – Newswire

The Bhutan Foundation is thrilled to announce the signing of Project Mikhung 2.0 in partnership with the Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy (BCMD). Titled “Capacitating the Local Government and Citizens to Strengthen People-Centered Planning,” this project will focus on hands-on learning experiences, enabling people-centered planning and community development through inclusive, participatory consultations, and comprehensive assessments of community needs and assets. Click here to read... [10]

Gelephu Mindfulness City's vision holds potential to bolster Bhutan-India relations – ANI

His Majesty Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck unveiled an ambitious vision for Gelephu Mindfulness City that holds promising potential to significantly bolster Bhutan-India relations, as reported by The Bhutan Live. Click here to read... [11]

Bhutan Tendrel Party Pledges to Boost Regional Tourism, Waives Fee for Indian Tourists – BNN

In a move signaling a strategic shift in the tourism sector, the Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) has pledged to eliminate the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for Indian tourists in all border towns. This move is part of a broader commitment to strengthen the industry’s contribution to the national economy, with a particular focus on fostering an increased influx of tourists from neighboring India. Click here to read... [12]

Maldives

Pres assures swift deed distribution for land and flat recipients– Zee News

The strategic developments in the Indian Ocean have been a cause of concern for India and, New Delhi has been conveying it to Sri Lanka and Maldives. The cause of concern is no other than China which wants to increase its presence and control in the Indian Ocean region. Sri Lanka has now understood the dragon's strategy and perhaps why it has imposed a one-year ban on China's 'research ships'. Maldives may likely permit Chinese ships. India's concern is that China can spy on India's defence base under the guise of research ships. China's interference in the sea around India is increasing and Maldives' inclination towards China may further create problems in the region. Click here to read... [13]

"Pres. sends condolences to the Japanese PM after deadly earthquake"– Raajje

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has sent a message of condolence to Kishida Fumio, the Prime Minister of Japan, following the strong earthquake and tsunami that struck Ishikawa in central Japan. In his message, the President expressed that it was with profound sadness that he learned of the strong earthquake and tsunami in central Japan, resulting in the loss of lives, displacement of people, and extensive damage to property and infrastructure. Click here to read... [14]

Myanmar

Myanmar Soldiers Returned Home After Fleeing to Mizoram, India - VOM News

Over 150 Myanmar soldiers who sought refuge in Mizoram following the takeover of their camps by pro-democracy ethnic groups were flown back to Myanmar on a military aircraft facilitated by New Delhi. The soldiers, part of Myanmar’s ‘Tatmadaw’, fled their camps near the Indo-Myanmar border after clashes with the Arakan Army fighters. Arriving from Mandalay, Myanmar, the military aircraft landed at Mizoram’s Lengpui airport and carried out two flights, transporting a total of 151 soldiers back to Akyab, Myanmar. On December 29, these soldiers, who crossed into Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district with their arms, sought assistance from the Assam Rifles after their camp was overrun by the Arakan Army. Click here to read... [15]

Manipur: Six security personnel injured in ambush, CM links it to Myanmar mercenaries - Telegraph India

Six security personnel were injured in an ambush at Moreh in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district on Tuesday, prompting a security review in the state and the chief minister suspecting the involvement of foreign mercenaries from neighbouring Myanmar. A Manipur police post on X said both “gunfire and explosives” were used in the attack on a “joint team of security forces” — meaning the team had both state and central forces. Click here to read... [16]

Govt plans to end Free Movement Regime along international border with Myanmar - Indian Express

The Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allows people residing on either side of the India-Myanmar border to venture 16 km into each other’s territory without visa, will end soon, sources in the government said. The Centre has decided to start the tendering for an advanced smart fencing system for the entire India-Myanmar border, sources said. “We are going to end the FMR along the Indo-Myanmar border soon. We are going to put fencing along the entire border. The fencing will be completed in the next four-and-half years. Anyone coming through will have to get a visa,” the source said. Click here to read... [17]

Nepal

After 2 years, Jaishankar may attend India-Nepal meet to boost energy ties - New Indian Express

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is likely to be in Kathmandu on Thursday for the 7th India Nepal Joint Commission meeting. The meeting is taking place after two years as the last meeting was held on January 14, 2021 in New Delhi.“Jaishankar and his counterpart from Nepal, NP Saud will be at the helm of the meeting. Energy cooperation, and increasing the funding of development projects in Nepal would be discussed,’’ a source said. Click here to read... [18]

Nepal to destroy 4 million Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines, 2.5 years after buying them from China – WioNews

Nepal got Sinovac vaccines in April 2021 as a grant from China. China refused to take the vaccines back. The vaccines were in storage for over two years. W.H.O recommended Pfizer, Moderna, Covishield over SINOVAC. Click here to read... [19]

The road connecting China-Nepal is ready…new irritations for India - Geo Tv News

Nepal, which has long maintained friendly relations with india, has now slipped under China’s radar. There is no reason for this. China has been trying to win over Nepal, which is economically dependent on India, for a long time. Accordingly, he added business ties to tame Nepal. Moreover, recently…a road has been developed from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, to Khasa on the border of Nepal called the China-Nepal Friendship Highway. About 800 km long, this road is the main trade route between China and Nepal. India’s construction of a road connecting the Chinese and Nepalese borders has raised concerns. Click here to read... [20]

Pakistan

'We made Pakistan's policy irrelevant by not playing their game': S Jaishankar – India Today

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that Pakistan's core policy has been to "use cross-border terrorism to bring India to the table", adding that India made that policy irrelevant by "not playing that game now". Click here to read... [21]

Pakistan likely to get $700 million from IMF as next tranche of bailout this month: Report – The Hindu

Cash-strapped Pakistan is expected to get $700 million as the next tranche of the bailout from the IMF as the Executive Board of the global lender meets on January 11, according to a media report on Tuesday. The board of the Washington-based International Monetary Fund is set to deliberate and potentially grant final approval for the disbursement of the next $700 million tranche for Pakistan under the existing $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), the Dawn newspaper reported. Click here to read... [22]

India likely to resist Pakistan's bid to be a full-fledged member of Brics – Business Standard

India is likely to resist Pakistan’s bid to be a full-fledged member of Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) because it wants to keep it a grouping for emerging market economies. Pakistan has sought Russia’s help to become a member during its Brics presidency, which began on Monday with the motto “Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security”. Click here to read... [23]

Sri Lanka

‘New Alliance’ begins 2024 Presidential Election campaign – Daily News

Aiming at the 2024 Presidential Election, the ‘New Alliance’ commenced its operations on Monday (1), under the leadership of Kurunegala District MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, who is its operational leader, Gampaha District MP Nimal Lanza who is the founder of the new alliance, and Puttalam District Leader of the New Alliance, MP Piyankara Jayaratne, at the New Alliance headquarters in Rajagiriya. Click here to read... [24]

Sri Lankans struggling to buy food, says WFP report – The Island

The WFP’s ‘Sri Lanka – Household Food Security Survey: Preliminary Findings, December 2023’ says that 43 percent of households were adopting livelihood-based coping strategies to cope with the lack of adequate food. Borrowing money to buy food and purchasing food on credit were the most commonly adopted strategies, by 27 and 26 percent of households, respectively, says the report, adding that households remain vulnerable to future shocks and stresses. Click here to read... [25]

Island-wide operation nets 1,182 suspects in 24 hours – Daily Mirror Online

A total of 1,182 suspects were arrested within the last 24 hours during the island-wide operation 'Yukthiya', the Public Security Ministry said. They said that during this period, police recovered 287 gms of heroin, 5.4 kgs of cannabis, 246 gms of Ice drugs, 19,052 cannabis plants and several other narcotics Click here to read... [26]