Neighborhood News Digest - 04 April 2024

Afghanistan

India says inclusive government in Afghanistan is top priority for SCO-The Khama Press

The National Security Advisor of India stated on Wednesday at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting that the formation of an inclusive government and the protection of women’s and minority rights are immediate priorities of this organization in Afghanistan. The National Security Advisor of India, Ajit Doval, speaking at the meeting held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, added that providing humanitarian assistance and combating terrorism and drug trafficking are other priorities of this organization. Click here to read… [2]

Japan provides $600,000 in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan-The Khama Press

The United Nations Coordination Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced that Japan has donated $600,000 to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund. OCHA thanked Japan for its contribution in a statement published on its official Twitter account on Tuesday. Previously, the World Food Programme (WFP) had announced Japan’s $13.5 million assistance to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund. Click here to read… [3]

With UNAMA, No Other UN Representative Needed: Shaheen- Tolo News

The head of the Islamic Emirate’s political office in Doha, Suhail Shaheen, has called the appointment of a special United Nations representative for Afghanistan an unnecessary step. In response to the remarks of Vanessa Frazier, permanent representative of Malta and President of the Security Council, Shaheen said that there is no need for the appointment of a special representative under the current circumstances and taking into account the presence of UNAMA. Click here to read… [4]

Dep. Interior Minister: TTP- Islamabad Dialogue 'Good Option’-Tolo News

Mohammad Nabi Omari, the deputy minister of Interior, during a group Iftar (fast breaking) program in Khost province said that the disputes of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) with the government of Pakistan have caused the international community to find excuses against the caretaker government of Afghanistan. Omari called on the TTP to resolve its existing disputes with the government of Pakistan. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

PM may visit India in June - The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will visit India and China, likely in June and July, in her first major bilateral tours after the January 7 national election. Click here to read… [6]

Bangladesh’s wildlife and forest decline linked to misinformation – Dhaka Tribune

In October 2021, an unidentified wild animal attack in Harinathpur Union of Palashbari upazila in Gaibandha left several people injured. The incident triggered widespread fear and panic among villagers, as the creature reportedly made several attacks in the following days. Click here to read… [7]

IMF stresses meeting forex reserves target to get third tranche of $4.7bn loan – Dhaka Tribune

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has emphasized meeting the target of the foreign exchange reserve set for March 2024 as a condition of $4.7 billion in loan support for Bangladesh. The global lender upheld its stand during a meeting with Bangladesh Bank officials on Wednesday. Click here to read… [8]

India to review duties to curb subsidized jute imports from Bangladesh- Mint

India is considering tightening its duties on jute and jute products to check imports of cheap, subsidized goods from Bangladesh that are undermining local manufacturers, a senior official said. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

Bhutan’s Human Development Index progresses – Kuensel

Bhutan’s Human Development Index (HDI) witnessed a progressive growth, reaching 0.681 in 2022. This represents an average annual growth rate of 1.32 percent between 2010 and 2022. Click here to read… [10]

Goods and services become costlier by 4.53 percent in February – Kuensel

Bhutanese consumers are paying 4.53 percent more for the same basket of goods and services in February this year from the same month of last year. The value of the Ngultrum has been deprecating with the value of Nu 100 in February this year worth only Nu 56.4 in December 2012. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu says second batch of Indian troops to be withdrawn 'within current month' – Mint

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu reportedly stated on April 2 that Indian troops ‘stationed on the second platform will be withdrawn within the current month.’ He said this while ensuring that ‘foreign troops stationed in Maldives will be withdrawn by May 10.’ Click here to read… [12]

People's Majlis passes Resolution banning Israeli products, tourists – Raajje

A bill was proposed by MP for Villingili constituency Saud Hussain on October 11, 2023, calling to condemn Israel’s illegal occupation and inhumane attacks and genocide of the innocent Palestinian civilians, for an immediate ceasefire, to ensure the human rights of Palestinians are upheld, on Israeli armed forces to evacuate from the lands illegally snatched from the Palestinian people and demanding to recognize Palestine as an independent state. The People’s Majlis has passed a resolution seeking to ban the import of all Israeli goods as well as the entry of Israeli nationals into the country, seeking to defend the rights of Palestinian citizens, during a parliament sitting on April 1. Click here to read… [13]

Myanmar

Myanmar saw threefold increase in landmine casualties in 2023 - Nikkei Asia

Civilian casualties in Myanmar caused by landmines and other explosive devices tripled in 2023, as the three-year civil war there entered a new phase of intense fighting with ethnic armed groups gaining territory from the military regime. More than 1,000 civilians were killed or maimed in 599 known landmine incidents last year, 21% of whom were children, according to data released on Thursday by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Click here to read… [14]

AA declares emergency closure of Ann-Padan road linking Rakhine to central Myanmar - Narinjara

The Arakan Army (AA) on 2 April declared an indefinite emergency closure of the vital transportation road linking Ann township of Rakhine State to Padan village under Ngape township of Magway region in central Myanmar. The road closure stems from the military junta's activities, including the expansion of forces, troop movement, transportation of food & military equipment and planting landmines along the roads connecting Ann with Magway region. Click here to read… [15]

Myanmar targets to achieve $16.5 bn in exports in FY24 - Fibre2Fashion

Myanmar is targeting $16.5 billion in exports and $16 billion in imports for the fiscal 2023-2024 (FY24), as per the latest statistics released by the ministry of commerce. This goal comes at a time when the country is navigating through economic recovery, with its gross domestic product (GDP) projected to grow by 3.8 per cent. The industrial sector is poised to be a significant contributor to this economic uplift, expected to add 4.2 per cent to the GDP growth, while trade is anticipated to contribute another 3.8 per cent. Click here to read… [16]

Nepal

EC orders strict vigilance along India's border with Myanmar, Nepal & B'desh - DajjiWorld

The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday directed the central agencies to ensure strict vigilance is maintained along the country's bordering areas with Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh. The EC has also directed Chief Secretaries and DGPs of all states and union territories and heads of central agencies to ensure peaceful and inducement-free general elections. The EC, earlier on Wednesday, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, held a crucial meeting with all states/UTs. The meeting was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. Click here to read… [17]

Nepali Congress likely to finalise bypoll candidates today amid intra-party dispute - Kathmandu Post

The main opposition Nepali Congress failed to pick its candidates for the bypolls in Ilam and Bajhang on Wednesday as well. The Election Commission is holding the by-elections for a House of Representatives seat in Ilam-2 and a provincial seat in Bajhang (A) on April 27. The party had discussed potential candidates on Tuesday but, after failing to make any headway, deferred its meeting to Wednesday. Click here to read… [18]

Inflation to remain at 6.7 percent in Nepal in 2024: WB - myRepublica

The consumer price inflation in Nepal is expected to remain high at 6.7 percent in 2024, close to the central bank's 6.5 percent ceiling, due to VAT exemptions removal, India's food export restrictions, and increased paddy minimum support prices. However, inflation is forecast to decline to 6 percent in 2025 and to 5.5 percent in 2026, driven by global commodity price moderation and domestic price containment through monetary policy. The projected lower inflation in India may also help reduce domestic inflation via the currency peg, mitigating imported inflation, the World Bank (WB) stated in its Nepal Development Update (April 2024) it unveiled on Tuesday. Click here to read… [19]

Sri Lanka

Attempt to dissolve Parliament for snap General Election fails – Daily Mirror

The attempt by some MPs to dissolve Parliament by passing a resolution has proven to be a futile exercise as the required number of 113 MPs cannot be mustered, a parliamentarian who wished to remain anonymous said. Click here to read… [20]

Sustainability neglect may stunt tourism growth in Sri Lanka: Intrepid Travel Chief - Daily Mirror

A global leader in responsible tourism raised concerns on lack of focus on sustainability in the tourism sector, which in turn could impede the current growth momentum in the medium term. Click here to read… [21]

Katchatheevu and Wadge Bank: the story of two India-Sri Lanka agreements from a half century ago – Indian Express

Weeks before voting for the Lok Sabha election in Tamil Nadu, the BJP has reignited the decades-old Katchatheevu issue, accusing the Indira Gandhi government of “callously giving away”, as the Prime Minister said in a post on social media, the island to Sri Lanka. Click here to read… [22]