Neighborhood News Digest- 07 February 2024

Afghanistan

Muttaqi Meets With Sinirlioğlu, Calls UN Special Envoy Post 'Unnecessary'-Tolo News

In his meeting with the Special Coordinator of the United Nations for Afghanistan, Feridun Sinirlioğlu, acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, stressed that the appointment of a UN special envoy for the situation of Afghanistan is “unnecessary”, according to an Islamic Emirate’s spokesman. Click here to read… [2]

Kabul clears all of Tajikistan’s electricity debts: Eurasianet-The Khama Press

The Media outlet Eurasianet based at Columbia University, has reported that the Taliban has fully paid off all electricity debts to Tajikistan. Click here to read… [3]

Tajikistan reports no drop in drug trafficking from Afghanistan-The Khama Press

Officials from Tajikistan’s anti-drug agency have contradicted reports of reduced drug production in Afghanistan, stating that they have not seen any evidence of decreased drug trafficking into Tajikistan. Click here to read… [4]

No Near-Term Plan to Return Diplomatic Functions to Kabul: US-Tolo News

A US State Department spokesperson said that there are no near-term plans to return diplomatic functions to Kabul. The deputy spokesperson of the ministry in the weekly press briefing said that the US engage with many Afghans including the “Taliban” both inside and outside the country. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

‘Will discuss Myanmar situation’– The Daily Star

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud flew to New Delhi last night for his first bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar since he assumed office following the January 7 polls. Click here to read… [6]

Reserved seats for women: AL earns Tk 4.05 crore by selling 810 nominations – The Daily Star

The Awami League has earned Tk 4.05 crore by selling 810 nomination forms for the reserved seats for women in the 12th Jatiya Sangsad. Click here to read… [7]

Minister: Megaprojects bigger than Padma Bridge should be taken up in education sector- Dhaka Tribune

Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury Nowfel said that megaprojects bigger than the Padma Bridge should be taken up to resolve challenges in the education sector. Click here to read… [8]

Bhutan

Bhutan begins third mega plantation programme-Kuensel

With the planting of eight almond seedlings at Chang Mindi, Wangchang gewog in Paro yesterday, the third phase of Million Fruit Trees Plantation officially kicked off. Click here to read… [9]

A village in Bhutan learns about democracy and teaches us, too, in ‘Monk and the Gun’-abc News

The Monk and the Gun,” is not just about democracy. It’s also about guns, and their role in society, a particularly fertile theme for Dorji's brand of wry satire and pointed comparisons. Click here to read… [10]

Maldives

'Maldives' economy in trouble': Muizzu says can't launch development projects due to high debt – Business Today

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on February 6, expressed that launch of any new development projects would be difficult due to the debt situation in the country. He said he did not want to mislead the public about the economic situation that his administration "inherited". Muizzu stated that "the next two months will be the most difficult. This is the most critical time," at the stop on the island Guraidhoo during a tour of Thaa atoll. "It will become much easier after July. But we're starting now to do the work necessary to earn income." Click here to read… [11]

Projects might be delayed due to financial situation, hints President – Adhadhu

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has indicated that the launching of development projects might be postponed due to the financial situation caused by increasing debt. Muizzu, who is currently on a tour of Thaa atoll, made a stop in Dhiyamigili island and spoke about the concerns and challenges due to the current financial situation in the country. "There are difficulties in carrying out PSIP projects or development projects while we are trying to manage debt. I want to carry out more development projects. But this is why we cannot start all the stalled projects and launch new projects in all the islands at once," he said. Click here to read… [12]

Myanmar

India-Myanmar border to be fenced entirely: Indian Home Minster Amit Shah - WION News

Rising tensions at the Indo Myanmar border. The Indian government has decided to construct an impenetrable fence. India's Union home minister Amit shah tweeted about the government's commitment to construct proper fencing along the border that stretches over 1,600 km. The decision effectively moves to end free movement regime. Click here to read… [13]

PH asserts ASEAN 5-point consensus as way to address Myanmar crisis - pna

The Philippine government reiterated that the ASEAN Five Point Consensus remains the viable solution to addressing the Myanmar crisis. Speaking at the recent ASEAN-European Union Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said all actions must be aligned with the ASEAN mechanism. Click here to read… [14]

Nepal

Minister Saud leaving for Australia this evening - Himalayan Times

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Prakash Saud, will be leaving here for Perth, Australia this evening to attend the 7th Indian Ocean Conference being jointly organized by the Government of Australia and India Foundation on February 9-10. Click here to read… [15]

Nepal’s forex reserves escalate to record-high amount at $ 13.69 billion, sufficient for goods and services imports of 12.1 months - My Republica

Nepal is cushioned with a notable rise in the foreign currency reserves as of mid-January, thanks to a significant increase in the remittance inflows in the past six months. The ‘Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal’ unveiled by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) on Tuesday shows that the landlocked and import-oriented country now has foreign currency reserves of US $ 13.69 billion, sufficient to finance merchandise imports of 14.5 months, and merchandise and services imports of 12.1 months. In the past year, the amount increased by USD 3.19 billion. Click here to read… [16]

Pakistan

UN rights body condemns ‘harassment, detentions’ of PTI leaders ahead of polls-The Express Tribune

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern on Tuesday ahead of Pakistan's parliamentary election scheduled for Thursday, urging authorities to condemn all acts of violence against political parties and candidates while emphasising the need to uphold fundamental freedoms for a democratic process. Click here to read… [17]

Poll campaigns conclude after lacklustre run-Dawn

At the stroke of midnight, a relatively lacklustre election campaign came to an end on Tuesday, as the Election Commission of Pakistan issued an advisory restraining all political parties and candidates from canvassing for Feb 8 polls. Click here to read… [18]

Govt hints at shutting down internet over ‘security’ issue-Dawn

Caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz on Tuesday hinted at the possible suspension of the internet service in case of security issues in any area on the election day (tomorrow) while Amnesty International called for uninterrupted internet access across the country during the polling process. Click here to read… [19]

Twin blasts rock Balochistan’s Kech and Panjgur ahead of polls-The Express Tribune

Two separate blasts shook the districts of Kech and Panjgur in Balochistan on Tuesday, sparking concerns about security as the nation gears up for the upcoming general elections. Click here to read… [20]

Sri Lanka

Keheliya resigns as Cabinet Minister - Daily Mirror Online

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who is in prison has tendered his resignation from the position of Environment Minister to President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Click here to read… [21]

Outdated maritime laws hampering Sri Lanka’s hub goals: Dr. Gunasekara – Daily Mirror Online

Sri Lanka’s aspirations to become a maritime hub are facing setbacks due to delays in ratifying crucial maritime conventions and updating national legislation, according to a prominent maritime law expert. Click here to read… [22]

NPP leaders off to Modi’s home base Gujarat – Daily Mirror Online

The National People’s Power (NPP) delegation led by leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake headed for Gujarat, the home base of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, yesterday after the conclusion of their second day of the Indian tour, Daily Mirror learns. Click here to read… [23]