Neighborhood News Digest- 29 January 2024

Afghanistan

Kabul to Host 'Afghanistan's Regional Cooperation Initiative' on Monday-Tolo News

The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, said that the Islamic Emirate on Monday will host “Afghanistan's Regional Cooperation Initiative" in which envoys and ambassadors of regional and neighboring countries will participate. Click here to read… [2]

No ‘Formal Border’ between Afghanistan and Pakistan, says Noori-The Khama Press

Taliban Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs, Noorullah Noori, during his visit to the Torkham crossing and addressing the border situation between Afghanistan and Pakistan emphasized that Afghanistan does not have an officially recognized border with Pakistan, and instead, there exists a “hypothetical line” between the two nations. Click here to read… [3]

Acting Justice Minister Considers Clerics’ Criticism Damage to Govt- Tolo News

The acting Minister of Justice, Abdul Hakim Sharei, said that the criticism of the religious clerics of the government is dangerous and that it damages the Islamic Emirate. Click here to read… [4]

Afghan women protesters call for non-engagement with Taliban at Doha Conference-The Khama Press

The National Unity Group of Afghanistan welcomed an announcement inviting women to the United Nations session and called for avoiding any involvement with the Taliban. Click here to read… [5]

Bhutan

Bhutan's Liberal Tshering Tobgay Becomes Prime Minister After Fourth Free Vote – NDTV

Bhutan's liberal politician Tshering Tobgay, leader of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), officially began his second term as prime minister on Sunday, following elections earlier this month. To mark his appointment formally, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck handed a scarf to Tobgay, a statement posted on the king's official Facebook page said. Click here to read… [6]

Fourth National Assembly kicks off – Kuensel

The first session of the fourth National Assembly (NA) convened yesterday, marking the commencement of the new government’s five-year term. The session began with the symbolic offering of Ku-Sung-Thugten, representing His Majesty The King, and the reading of the Kasho from the Druk Gyalpo by the Secretary General. The Chief Justice of Bhutan, Chogyal Dago Rigdzin, administered the oath of office to the Members of Parliament, organised according to their age. The members were also seated according to their age with the oldest seated near the Speaker. Click here to read… [7]

Bangladesh

India played its part as ‘honest neighbour’: Quader- The Daily Star

India has played its due role in the 12th parliamentary election as an "honest neighbour", Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said yesterday. Click here to read… [8]

China keen to import more from Bangladesh: envoy- The Daily Star

China is taking necessary actions to import more products from Bangladesh, especially mangoes, jute and jute goods, leather, meat and seafood aimed at reducing bilateral trade gap. Click here to read… [9]

Maldives

Maldives President Muizzu mentions ‘centuries of friendship’ with India; wishes Prez Murmu, PM Modi on Republic Day 2024 – Mint

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has extended Republic Day greetings to India. This gesture comes amid the diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Male. President Muizzu's message, addressed to both Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasised the longstanding ties and mutual respect shared by the two nations. The Maldives President's office released a statement highlighting President Muizzu's wishes for India's continued peace, progress and prosperity. Click here to read… [10]

Maldives to intervene in ICJ case against Israel – Sun Online International

The Government of Maldives has decided to intervene in the case filed against Israel by South Africa in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The President’s Office’s Public Policy Secretary Abdulla Nazim said cabinet meeting, on January 28, saw discussions on the case filed by South Africa with ICJ. Nazim added that the cabinet has decided to intervene in the case and appoint Attorney General Ahmed Usham as the agent representing the Maldives. On January 26, the ICJ delivered its interim judgment in the case, ordering Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza. Click here to read… [11]

Violent scuffles break out in Maldives Parliament, proceedings halted – Business Today

The Maldives Parliament on January 28, descended into turmoil as members of the government and opposition parties clashed violently. The chaos was sparked by a key vote on parliamentary approval for President Mohamed Muizzu's government. Government MPs from the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People's National Congress (PNC) disrupted the proceedings, leading to physical altercations with opposition MPs. Click here to read… [12]

Myanmar

China working with Myanmar on ceasefire in Rakhine - Daily Star

China is working with Myanmar to have another ceasefire in Rakhine State, so that the Rohingya repatriation process can start soon, said the country's Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen. "Repatriation issue is something we discussed quite deeply. We understand, we will now face difficult days. But we need to be confident," he told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud at the ministry yesterday. Click here to read… [13]

BGB director general visits Bangladesh-Myanmar border - Dhaka Tribune

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Major General AKM Nazmul Hasan visited the Bangladesh-Myanmar border areas on Sunday. He visited the Hoikang border in Teknaf, the Palongkhali border in Ukhiya, and the Tumburu border area in Bandarban. Click here to read… [14]

Time not good for Rohingya repatriation as Myanmar facing turmoil: UN - New Age BD

United Nations resident coordinator in Dhaka, Gwyn Lewis, on Sunday said that the situation inside Myanmar was very difficult and it was not a good time for Rohingya repatriation. She was speaking to reporters after her meeting with foreign minister Hasan Mahmud at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Click here to read… [15]

Nepal

Bangladesh, Nepal to work in hydropower, climate change - Asia News Network

Bangladesh and Nepal today agreed to advance the relations in the areas of hydropower, climate change, as well as promoting regional cooperation. Both sides stressed to work together to address challenges to be faced after graduating from LDC status and further consolidating the existing relations. Click here to read… [16]

Major Risks Confronting the Nepalese Economy - MyRepublica

In the face of a global economic downturn, most countries of the world will inevitably experience the repercussions of this phenomenon. As the economy transitions from the normalization observed at the end of last year to a state of turbulent ‘new-normality’ this year, the global economy is poised to decelerate amid the lingering impacts of tight monetary policy, restrictive financial conditions and sluggish global trade and investment. Click here to read… [17]

China says rivals trying to sabotage its ties with Nepal - Kathmandu Post

In an unprecedented move, visiting Chinese leaders have publicly claimed that certain countries are trying to destabilise the good relations between Nepal and China, while some elements are also defaming the Belt and Road Initiative by calling it a ‘debt trap’. Click here to read… [18]

Pakistan

Pakistan accuses 'Indian agents' of killing two of its citizens on its soil – Deccan Herald

Pakistan on Thursday claimed that it had “credible evidence” of links between what it called "Indian agents" and the assassination of two Pakistani terrorists associated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Lashkar-e-Taiba in Sialkot and Rawalkot last year. Click here to read… [19]

Gunmen kill 9 people in Iran near border with Pakistan – The Hindu

Unknown gunmen on January 27 shot to death nine people in the southeastern part of Iran that borders Pakistan, media reports said. A report by the semiofficial Mehr news agency said the shooting took place in a home near the town of Saravan in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province. It added that the victims were not Iranian. Click here to read… [20]

Iran foreign minister arrives in Pakistan amid tensions following strikes – Hindustan Times

During his visit, Abdollahian will hold in debt talk with his Pakistani counterpart Jilani and Pakistan caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Monday arrived in Islamabad on the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani, amid strain in relations following the recent tit-for-tat strikes launched by the two countries. Click here to read… [21]

Cash-strapped Pakistan seeks $2 billion loan from China – The Hindu

Cash-strapped Pakistan has sought financial assistance of $2 billion from its close ally China for a year, according to a media report on Saturday. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, in a letter, has requested his Chinese Premier Li Qiang to roll over the debt as soon as the deposit time for the loan from China is completed on March 23. Click here to read… [22]

Dozens Detained As Pakistan Police Halt Rally For Jailed Ex-PM Imran Khan – NDTV World

Pakistani police detained at least two dozen supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan Sunday as they tried to rally in the country's biggest city ahead of elections next month. Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has been severely hamstrung ahead of the February 8 poll, with rallies banned, its party symbol taken away, and dozens of its candidates rejected from eligibility to stand. Click here to read… [23]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka cannot simply walk away from IMF: Ranil- Daily Mirror Online

Sri Lanka cannot simply dismiss its engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasised while citing the complexities that could arise, if a decision is made to do so. Click here to read… [24]

India-Sri Lanka passenger ferry service to begin on February 15- Daily Mirror Online

The passenger ferry service between India’s Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai (KKS) in Jaffna will be initiated on February 15, the Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister said. Click here to read… [25]