Neighborhood News Digest- 25 January 2024

Afghanistan

India sends 40,000 litres of Malathion to help Afghanistan combat locusts-The Khama Press

India has sent 40,000 litres of Malathion pesticide to Afghanistan via the Chabahar port to combat the locust menace. The Agriculture Ministry under Taliban control thanked India for the aid, stressing its role in safeguarding crops and ensuring food security in Afghanistan. Click here to read… [2]

Kyrgyzstan Minister of Economy Leads Delegation to Kabul- Tolo News

A 7-member delegation of Kyrgyzstan headed by Daniyar Amangeldiev, minister of economy and finance of Kyrgyzstan, arrived in Kabul. Nooruddin Azizi, acting Minister of Commerce and Industry, in meeting with the delegation from Kyrgyzstan, said that Kabul wants to have transit through Central Asian countries, especially Kyrgyzstan, at lower costs. Click here to read… [3]

UN launches initiative; Community Kitchens for Afghan women- The Khama Press

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has announced the establishment of a Community Kitchen to create employment opportunities and generate income for women. Click here to read… [4]

Afghanistan Committed to Strengthening Religious, Modern Sciences: Kabir- Tolo News

The Deputy PM for Political Affairs, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, at the opening of “National Conference on the Improvement of Educational and Higher Educational Institutions of Afghanistan” said that along with religious sciences, the Islamic Emirate is also committed to strengthening modern sciences in the country. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

India will always stand beside Bangladesh: Pranay Verma - The Daily Star

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma yesterday said the friendship between the two countries will continue to grow as the shared sacrifices of 1971 Liberation War remain a constant inspiration driving the relationship forward. Click here to read… [6]

UN experts urge rights reforms in Bangladesh – The Daily star

UN experts yesterday urged Bangladesh to carry out major human rights reforms to reverse "repressive trends" following the controversial election, which was boycotted by the opposition. Click here to read… [7]

More new faces likely to be included in the cabinet soon – Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to announce an expansion of the cabinet by the end of February, with the possibility of welcoming at least 10 new faces into key ministerial positions.https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/337681/more-new-faces-likely-to-be-included-in-the [8] "target="_blank"> Click here to read…

Bhutan

Over 75 per cent of eligible youth registered for Gyalsung – The Bhutan Live

9,972 eligible youth born in 2005 registered for Gyalsung as of Friday last week. As per the Department of Civil Registration and Census, there are 12,965 children born in 2005. The registered youth will be the first batch to participate in the National Service training. As per the Gyalsung Office, the final date for registration is on the 15th of February. Click here to read… [9]

Technology to enhance agri-business – Kuensel

Zhemgang produces a wide range of vegetables and crops, but lacking access to market and post-harvest technology, up to 80% of harvests went to waste. To address this, the Handicraft Association of Bhutan (HAB) with match-funding from Austrian Development Agency (ADA), provided agricultural product processing and waste reducing equipment to Khengrig Namsum Cooperatives (KNC), a cooperative of Zhemgang. Click here to read… [10]

Maldives

Maldives President Under Fire Over His Government's 'Anti-India' Stance– NDTV

The Maldives government's "anti-India stance" may turn out detrimental to the island nation's development, the two main opposition parties have warned, two days after the administration announced a Chinese ship will be docking at their port. The words of caution by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the Democrats comes amid strained ties between the two neighbours and the Maldives' affinity towards China. "Stability and security in the Indian Ocean are vital to the stability and security of the Maldives," said the two opposition parties, which jointly hold 55 seats in the 87-member house. Click here to read… [11]

China-Maldives relationship: Muizzu in deep water– Times of India

Chinese ‘research’ ship Xiang Yang Hong 03 is travelling to Maldives. Effectively Maldives President Muizzu has invited China to India’s doorstep. By contrast, India has been asked to stop joint hydrographic surveys, an area of crucial importance to Maldives. Maldives saw Indian Hydrographic assistance as an infringement to Maldivian sovereignty. This comes close on the heels of Sri Lanka finally refusing to allow Chinese research ships to dock in Sri Lanka ports. India’s neighbourhood is a case of one step forward and two steps back. Click here to read… [12]

Myanmar

Myanmar's army denies that generals were sentenced to death for surrendering key city to insurgents - ABC News

Myanmar’s military government is denying reports that it sentenced six army generals to death or life imprisonment for their surrender this month of a regional military command headquarters on the border with China to an alliance of ethnic armed groups. Click here to read… [13]

Over 110 Rohingya arrested in Myanmar - Manila Times

More than 110 Rohingya from war-torn western Myanmar were arrested as they tried to flee the country to Malaysia, a local security source told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Wednesday. The mainly Muslim Rohingya, seen in Myanmar as interlopers from Bangladesh, are denied citizenship and require permission to travel. Click here to read… [14]

Russian Roundtable on Global Justice Includes Insights From Myanmar Junta Political Party Chair - The Irrawaddy

Khin Yi, the chair of the political party backed by Myanmar’s military, on Tuesday joined an online discussion organized by the largest political party in Russia, United Russia, to discuss how Russia and Southeast Asia could team up to create global justice. Click here to read… [15]

Nepal

Nepal explores tapping flood-risk glacial lakes for clean power - The Hindu

High in the Himalayas, two villages near Nepal’s border with Tibet are getting power from an unusual source: a threatening glacial lake. In this high-altitude region, climate change is accelerating the melting of mountain ice, with villages located below fast-filling glacial lakes facing a risk of catastrophic flooding. Click here to read… [16]

Nepal launches milestone action plan on business and human rights - Kathmandu Post

The Nepal government has launched the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, a milestone in promoting responsible business and strengthening human rights standards in Nepal. The action plan is a part of the government's strategy to promote economic development while safeguarding the rights of its citizens and the environment. With the launch of the programme, Nepal has become the second country in South Asia and the 41st globally to adopt such a strategic framework adopting human rights in business. The five-year plan will conclude in 2028. Click here to read… [17]

Adani Group To Build, Manage Airports In Nepal - NDTV

The Adani Group plans to invest in the construction of a new airport near the India-Nepal border and take over the management of two key airports, news agency IANS reported, quoting a senior Nepali minister. "Gautam Adani had proposed to invest in Nepal, particularly in energy and airport management sectors," Nepal Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat said, after having met the Adani Group Chairman in Gujrat. Click here to read… [18]

Pakistan

Section 144 imposed in Punjab to hamper PTI show: Imran – Dawn

Former prime minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that the Punjab government had imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to hamper the upcoming show of power by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s candidates. Click here to read… [19]

Pakistan government to deploy Army troops for security during February 8 polls: Official – The Telegraph Online

The Pakistan government on Tuesday formally decided to deploy regular Army troops to provide security during the February 8 elections. The decision to deploy the Army was taken in a meeting of the cabinet that was chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar. Click here to read… [20]

Energy sector: Major step taken towards reducing circular debt – Business Recorder

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar directed the Ministry of Energy to prepare and submit a comprehensive and sustainable plan after consultation with the Finance Ministry to reduce the circular debt of power and gas sectors. Click here to read… [21]

Sri Lanka

Economic consequences of Online Safety Bill should be considered: Harsha – Daily Mirror Online

Economic consequences of the Online Safety Bill should be considered by the government though there is a need for regulating social media, SJB MP Harsha de Silva said yesterday. Click here to read… [22]

Colombo Port sees modest recovery in container throughput despite global uncertainties – Daily Mirror Online

The container throughput at the Port of Colombo experienced a modest recovery in 2023, rebounding from the effects of the economic crisis and political and social unrest of the preceding year. Click here to read… [23]