Neighborhood News Digest – 19 January 2024

Afghanistan

Women’s Rights fully secured in Afghanistan: Taliban leader-The Khama Press

Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban leader, has claimed in his latest statements that women’s rights in Afghanistan have been fully secured. Mullah Hibatullah claimed in this meeting that he had issued orders to secure women’s rights in areas such as inheritance rights, prevention of forced marriages, and providing a dowry for women. Click here to read... [2]

Worsening economic insecurity under Taliban rule in Afghanistan: UNDP Report-The Khama Press

The latest report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released on Thursday, January 18th, reveals that 69% of Afghanistan’s population faces a shortage of necessities, including healthcare, essential goods, suitable living conditions, and vital job opportunities. Click here to read... [3]

Taliban poses no security issue to Iran: Iranian Official- The Khama Press

Ali Akbar Ahmadian, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has stated in his latest remarks that “Taliban” has not posed any security issues in Iran. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

EU eager to scale up partnership with Dhaka - The Daily Star

European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley yesterday congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her re-election as the prime minister for the fourth consecutive term. Click here to read... [5]

Election wasn’t participatory enough: CEC – The Daily Star

The 12th parliamentary election was not participatory enough, but the nation could overcome a crisis through this election, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal said yesterday. Click here to read... [6]

Curbing Price Hikes: Govt planning concerted action – The Daily star

The government is planning a coordinated effort to rein in the soaring prices of essentials. The finance ministry will hold a meeting on Sunday with the ministries and government institutions concerned to find a way. Click here to read... [7]

Bhutan

Foreign Secretary leads Bhutanese delegation to NAM Summit in Uganda – Kuensel

Foreign Secretary Pema Choden will lead a Bhutanese delegation to the two-day 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) which is being held in Kampala, Uganda which begins today. The secretary will be accompanied by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan secures its place as ‘outstanding destination’ for Chinese travellers – The Print

At a time when China’ growing interest in Bhutan is prominently seen and cannot be overlooked, Bhutan has secured its place as an outstanding travel destination in the Chinese market, reported Bhutan Live. Click here to read... [9]

Maldives

Amid row, Jaishankar meets Maldives foreign minister: ‘Frank conversation’– Hindustan Times

The meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Maldives took place on the sidelines of the NAM Summit in Uganda. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on January 18, stated that he met his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer in Uganda's Kampala and that the two leaders had a "frank conversation" on ties between the two countries. The meeting between Jaishankar and Zameer came amid an unease in India's relationship with Maldives. Click here to read... [10]

Committed to take forward development partnership with Maldives: Govt – Business Standard

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, stated on January 18 that India remains committed to take forward its development agenda with the Maldives including implementation of various welfare projects in the island nation. The comments came amid strain in ties between the two countries following Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's call for withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country by March 15. Click here to read... [11]

Myanmar

Myanmar Militants Likely In Manipur, Commandos "Sitting Ducks": State Security Adviser-NDTV

Manipur Security Adviser Kuldiep Singh today alleged some militants from Myanmar may have been involved in the attack on police commandos in Manipur's border town Moreh yesterday. He said there is a possibility of the involvement of Myanmar-based militants, but there is "no evidence" yet. Click here to read... [12]

276 Myanmar soldiers who took refuge in Mizoram will be repatriated soon: Officials- The Tribune

The 276 Myanmar Army personnel—who took refuge in Mizoram's Lawngtlai district after their camps were captured by the Arakan Army (AA) militants—would be repatriated at the earliest, officials said on Thursday. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

Energy sector: Circular debt jumps to over Rs5.725trn – Business Recorder

Pakistan’s energy sector circular debt has jumped to Rs 5.725 trillion as of November 2023, of which share of power sector stood at Rs 2.703 trillion whereas contribution of gas sector at Rs 3.022 trillion, sources close to caretaker Minister for Power and Petroleum told Business Recorder. Click here to read... [14]

Pakistan, Dubai ink $3 billion pacts at Davos – Dawn

Pakistan and Dubai on Thursday inked two agreements worth over $3 billion on cooperation in railways, economic zones and infrastructure projects. According to an official press release, the inter-governmental framework agreements were signed to strengthen relations in the marine and logistics sectors, including the establishment of a dedicated freight corridor and economic zone near Karachi. Click here to read... [15]

Iran summons Pakistan envoy after nine killed in retaliatory strikes – BBC News

Iran's foreign ministry has issued a statement in the last few minutes, once again condemning Pakistan's strikes this morning near the city of Saravan in the Sistan-Baluchestan province. The statement adds that Tehran is committed to good neighbourly relations with Pakistan, but called on Islamabad to prevent the establishment of "bases and armed terrorist groups" on Pakistani soil. Click here to read... [16]

Sri Lanka

Presidential Elections: three-pronged battle takes shape– Daily Mirror Online

In anticipation of the upcoming Presidential Elections scheduled towards the end of the year, the political arena is witnessing a flurry of activities as various parties and groups strategically position themselves for the impending electoral contest. Click here to read... [17]

Ranil affirms trust in new investments for rebuilding economy – Daily Mirror Online

In a candid discussion at the World Economic Forum (WEF) stakeholder dialogue titled ‘Pulling back from the brink,’ held in Kurpark Village, Aspen, President Ranil Wickremesinghe outlined short-term strategies aimed at revitalising Sri Lanka’s economy, and affirmed trust in new investments helping in realising the development agenda. Click here to read... [18]