Neighbourhood News Digest- 31 January 2024

Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s neighbours reluctant to prioritize Afghan women’s rights, says ICG-The Khama Press

In a recent report, the International Crisis Group reports that regional authorities are not inclined to emphasize the rights of Afghan women and girls in their interactions with the Taliban. Click here to read… [2]

Afghanistan drops from 150th to 162 in Corruption Fighting Index: Report-The Khama Press

In a recent report by the International Transparency Organization, Afghanistan, now ruled by the Taliban, has fallen to the 162nd position in the Corruption Fighting Index for 2023, with a low score of just 20 points. Click here to read… [3]

Inclusivity Not Discussed at Kabul Conference: Mujahid- Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate said that the issue of an inclusive government was not talked about in Monday’s Afghanistan’s Regional Cooperation Initiative Conference in Kabul. Click here to read… [4]

Region Dealing with Kabul for Security, Economic Stability: ICG-Tolo News

The International Crisis Group (ICG) said in a report that as most of the world shuns the Taliban due to their violations of women and girls’ rights, countries in the region around Afghanistan are dealing with the regime to address their needs for security and economic stability. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Ensure transparent legal process for arrested political activists, US urges Bangladesh – The Daily Star

The US has urged the Bangladesh government to ensure a fair and transparent legal process for political activists arrested ahead of the national elections. Click here to read… [6]

Will BNP witness a shift in leadership dynamics?- Dhaka Tribune

Changes are underway within the BNP, with a shift in leadership reverberating from the highest echelons down to foreign units. This reorganization initiative aims to galvanize a movement compelling the government to call for fresh elections. Click here to read… [7]

Jaishankar appreciates growing connectivity with Bangladesh – Dhaka Tribune

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has appreciated the growing connectivity with Bangladesh and its massive impact on the two countries, especially India’s northeast. Click here to read… [8]

Bhutan

Foreign Secretary Kwatra meets Bhutan King Wangchuck; discusses ways to deepen ‘unique ties of friendship’ – The Hindu

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on January 30 called on Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and discussed ways to further deepen the "unique ties of friendship" between the two nations. Mr. Kwatra arrived in Thimphu on Monday on a three-day trip, in the first high-level visit from India after the formation of a new government under People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Tshering Tobgay. Click here to read… [9]

Assam: 6th Bn SSB seizes illegal boulder loaded tractors from Bhutan border in Chirang district – The Sentinel

The 6th Bn SSB on Monday seized three tractors loaded with boulder without any valid permission at Samodwisa part-II near Bhutan border under Runikhata Range in Chirang district. Sources from SSB said based on an input, a patrolling party of G Coy situated at Tukrabasti and BOP of Sonapur caught three persons along with 3 tractor-trolley loaded with boulder (stone) which were illegally mined without legal documents issued by the Forest department. Sources said the seized items and apprehended persons were handed over to Forest Range office at Runikhata. Click here to read… [10]

National debt surge to Nu 279.93 billion last year – Kuensel

The national debt of Bhutan escalated to Nu 279.93 billion last year, recording a 5.7 percent increase or Nu 15.1 billion from the previous year, as reported by the finance ministry. This debt, representing the total amount owed by the government, reached 103.2 percent of the fiscal year 2023-24 gross domestic product (GDP) estimates, which is at Nu 219.51 billion. In share to GDP, it saw a decline from 129.1 percent of GDP in 2022. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

Pres Muizzu expresses hope for permanent Gaza truce in meeting with top US diplomat – Sun International

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has expressed hopes for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza soon, in a meeting with a top American diplomat. Donald Lu, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, paid a courtesy call on President Muizzu at the President's Office on January 30. During the call, President Muizzu and Lu discussed further strengthening the warm relations between the Maldives and the US. Click here to read… [12]

‘Apologise to PM Modi’: Maldives Opposition leader asks President Muizzu – The Hindustan Times

Maldives' Jumhooree Party Leader Qasim Ibrahim has called on Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to formally apologise to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "remarks after the China trip". Furthermore, Ibrahim suggested that the relationship between Maldives and India shall not be affected. He also stated that, the former president of Maldives, Abdulla Yameen is ‘questioning why Muizzu, who participated with him in the India Out Campaign, has not nullified the Presidential Decree banning the ‘India Out’ campaign, issued by President Solih in his tenure’. Click here to read… [13]

Air ambulance services to begin between Maldives, Sri Lanka- Raajje

Air ambulance services are to begin between the Maldives and Sri Lanka. This was announced as part of Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen’s ongoing visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka. As part of his visit, Minister Ameen paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation of Sri Lanka Nimal Siripala de Silva on January 30. Click here to read… [14]

Myanmar

Shadows Loom Large: Myanmar’s Three Years Under the Military and the Uncertain Road Ahead - Modern Diplomacy

Myanmar’s path, once heading towards emerging democracy, has tragically deviated into a spiral of intensifying conflict, widespread displacement, and an economy struggling to survive since the military takeover in 2021. At the centre of this turmoil is the military, under the leadership of Min Aung Hlaing. The economic and humanitarian impact is severe and multi-dimensional. The international response to this crisis is fragmented and varied. Click here to read… [15]

Myanmar junta eases election registration rules ahead of expiry of state of emergency - CNA

Myanmar's military government on Wednesday (Jan 31) announced an easing of election registration rules for political parties, hours ahead of the expiry of a state of emergency in place since a coup three years ago. Click here to read… [16]

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi hold over 12-hour meet in Bangkok: White House - telegraph India

"The two sides also held constructive discussions on global and regional issues, including those related to Russia's war against Ukraine; the Middle East, of course; the DPRK; the South China Sea; and Burma. And they also discussed cross-Strait issues," Kirby said. Click here to read… [17]

Nepal

Border issue with India to be resolved through political consensus says Nepal Foreign Minister N P Saud - Telegraph India

Foreign Minister N P Saud on Monday said that the border issue between Nepal and India should be resolved on the basis of political consensus. The technical mechanisms created to resolve the border problem should find a solution acceptable to both the countries after completing necessary technical works, Saud said while speaking at a programme organised on the occasion of India's 75th Republic Day here. Click here to read… [18]

Nepal urges UK to address ex-British Gurkha soldiers’ concerns - The Print

Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister Purna Khadka on Tuesday called for a positive response from the UK for the Gurkha soldiers who retired from the British Army before 1997 and are demanding perks and pensions on par with their British counterparts. Click here to read… [19]

Pakistan

Pakistan Ex-PM Imran Khan, Wife Get 14 Years Jail In Corruption Case – NDTV

Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan and his wife were sentenced Wednesday to 14 years in jail, local media said, after being found guilty of graft in a case involving gifts he received while premier. The verdict, a week before national elections, comes a day after Khan was given a prison sentence of 10 years in a case related to leaking state secrets. Click here to read… [20]

‘Worth Our Attention’, Says China on Pakistan's Allegations of Indian Involvement In Killings – The Wire

Despite India’s denial, China on Tuesday (January 30) said that Pakistan’s allegations of Indian government agents being involved in the killing of two Pakistani citizens were worthy of attention. Last week, Pakistan’s foreign secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi had asserted that an investigation had uncovered “credible evidence” linking two Indian agents to the murders of Muhammad Riaz in September 2023 and Shahid Latif in October 2023. Click here to read… [21]

At least 15 people killed in rebel attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan – Hindustan Times

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack. A separatist militant attack in Pakistan's restive southwestern Balochistan region late on Monday left at least 15 people dead, including two civilians and four law enforcement agents, the Pakistani military said in a statement. Click here to read… [22]

Demonetisation in Pakistan? New notes to check fake currencies soon – India Today

Pakistan’s central bank has announced that it will introduce new currency notes with enhanced security features to deal with the menace of counterfeit currencies in the cash-strapped country. The Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan Jameel Ahmed told the media here that the currency notes will be incorporated with advanced international security features, including distinct security numbers and design to modernise the Pakistani currency. Click here to read… [23]

Sri Lanka

IMF backed high tax regime could give further rise to informal economy: Dr. Palmer - Daily Mirror Online

A top free market capitalist this week cautioned that the current International Monetary Fund (IMF)-backed high tax regime could give further rise to informal economy in Sri Lanka, thereby slowing down the economic recovery and ultimately narrowing the tax base. Click here to read… [24]

SJB protest march dispersed near Town Hall – Daily News

The protest march organized by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya in Colombo yesterday (30) was dispersed by the police using water cannons and tear gas. Police fired tear gas at the protest that started near Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo and near Colombo Public Library and Town Hall. Click here to read… [25]

Suspended prison sentences for Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lanka waters – Daily Mirror Online

Ten Indian fishermen were sentenced to a two-year suspended prison term by a Sri Lankan court for poaching in the island nation's waters. The fishermen, arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy on December 23, have attended the Point Pedro court three times. Click here to read… [26]