Neighborhood News Digest- 29 April 2024

Afghanistan

Russian Foreign Ministry: Recognition Contingent on Inclusive Afghan Govt- Tolo News

Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, stated that the recognition of the Islamic Emirate is contingent upon the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan. Mikhail Galuzin during his visit to Uzbekistan added that Moscow maintains its working relations with Kabul and emphasizes the need for an inclusive government in Afghanistan that includes representatives of all ethnicities. Click here to read… [2]

Turkish Airlines to Resume Flights to Afghanistan after Nearly 3 Years-Tolo News

Turkish Airlines said that after a suspension of two years and eight months, it will resume its flights to Afghanistan on May 21. Officials at Turkish Airlines told TOLO news that there will be four flights a week between Kabul and Istanbul. Click here to read… [3]

Uzbekistan Embassy Commemorates Historical Emirs in Kabul-Tolo News

The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Kabul organized a cultural program in memory of Amir Timur Kurgan, Amir Ali-Shir Nava'i, and Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur in the capital. Yadgar Shadmanov, the ambassador of Uzbekistan, said that these historical figures have left a legacy in various sectors for todays and future generations. Click here to read… [4]

Nearly 2,000 Afghan migrants returned from Iran and Pakistan in two days-The Khaama Press

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations of Afghanistan announced that nearly two thousand Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan have been returned to Afghanistan, both voluntarily and forcibly, in the past two days. On Sunday, April 28th, the Ministry stated that 1,022 migrants residing in Iran returned to the country via the Islam Qala border crossing. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

IMF prescribes ending tax exemptions - The Daily Star

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has prescribed that Bangladesh must abolish VAT and income tax exemptions in various areas in order to accelerate revenue collections from the next fiscal year. Click here to read… [6]

AL central working committee meeting tomorrow – The Daily Star

Awami League central working committee will hold a meeting tomorrow. Awami League President Sheikh Hasina will preside over the meeting. Click here to read… [7]

Parliamentary committee sounds alarm on rising tensions near Teknaf – Dhaka Tribune

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Home Affairs has expressed concerns that fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army near Bangladesh's Teknaf border could escalate by May. Click here to read… [8]

Indian delegation to visit Bangladesh for bilateral talks on civil service training and development – The Print

A high-level delegation from India is set to visit Bangladesh to discuss the renewal of a bilateral agreement that will provide training and development opportunities for Bangladesh civil servants. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

No blanket loan deferment after June this year: FM- Kuensel

There will be no blanket loan deferment after June this year and the financial institutions (FIs) will decide the deferment based on their assessment, Finance Minister Lekey Dorji said during yesterday’s third Meet-the-Press session in Thimphu. The minister said that the banks and customers would assess the situation and make an informed decision as to how to carry the account forward. The loan deferment under the monetary measure IV ends by June 30 this year. Click here to read… [10]

UN backs Bhutan’s sustainable development with USD 35.57M in 2023-Kuensel

The United Nations supported Bhutan with USD 35.57 million last year, of which USD 21.9 million or 62 percent was used, according to the United Nations Bhutan Country Results 2023. The report highlighted Bhutan’s sustainable development journey and reaffirmed its support, building on past achievements, and outlining key priorities for the future. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

Maldives Doesn’t Disclose Reason as Chinese ‘Spy’ Ship Returns: Report – NDTV

A 4,500-tonne high-tech Chinese ‘spy’ ship is back in the Maldivian waters, two months after it spent a week docked at different ports in this archipelago nation. Xiang Yang Hong 03 was docked at the Thilafushi industrial island’s harbour on April 25. However, the government has not disclosed the reason for its return. But the government previously confirmed permission for the ship to dock before its first visit. Click here to read… [12]

Foreign Minister departs on official visit to Saudi Arabia – Adhadhu

Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer departed for Saudi Arabia, April 27, for an official visit to attend the World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development. According to the Foreign Ministry, Zameer will participate in high-level events and sessions throughout the conference which are aimed at forging partnerships to foster global collaboration. Click here to read… [13]

China will help construct council buildings: Minister – Adhadhu

Local Government Minister Adam Shareef said on April 25 that the Chinese government will provide the necessary resources for the construction of 50 council buildings. Speaking at the "Fanoalla Dharubaaru 2024" in Haa Dhaal Hanimaadhoo, Adam Shareef said that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the Chinese government would provide the necessary resources for the 50 councils to be built in the atolls. Click here to read… [14]

Myanmar

Unrest in Myanmar could destabilise India’s Northeast – Deccan Herald

With motley rebel groups chipping away at the Tatmadaw, as Myanmar's military junta is known, India invited an influencer of the military leadership to New Delhi a few months ago. The invitation by a government agency was one of several ongoing efforts to determine India's options in this critically important country in its neighbourhood as Myanmar stands on the edge of a precipice. Click here to read… [15]

How Chinese Cyber Crime Gangs Have Made Cambodia, Myanmar Their Safe Havens – News 18

The Telangana police this week rescued two techies who were lured by Chinese-run gangs into working a job where they were committing cyber fraud and toiling 16 hours a day while being trapped in Cambodia. These two techies are not the only Indian techies who have been lured into these jobs. Over the past years many unsuspecting Indian young IT workers have been misled and trafficked into Cambodia and Myanmar and forced to work for Chinese cyber crime gangs which operate out of these nations. Click here to read… [16]

Nepal

Nepal a suitable destination for investment, says PM Prachanda as he opens investment summit-The Hindu

Nepal is a suitable destination for investment and there are immense opportunities in the country, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' said on April 28 as he inaugurated a key investment summit here that will see the participation of around 1,800 people from various countries, including 140 from India. Click here to read… [17]

Neighbours India and China make tall promises at Nepal Investment Summit-The Kathmandu Post

China on Sunday announced exempting visa fees for Nepali travellers starting May 1 and launching of commercial flights to Nepal’s two new international airports, which are marred by geopolitics, under Beijing's renewed economic diplomacy for Nepal. India, on the other hand, said it would make Nepal prosperous through hydro energy trade at a key investment summit. Click here to read… [18]

Pakistan

IHC looks to counter meddling with ‘same old arsenal’-Dawn

Even though most of its members are the ones who agitated the matter publicly, it took judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) nearly a month to come up with a ‘unanimous proposal’ on ways to end external meddling in judicial affairs. But while there are few doubts about their resolve to tackle this longstanding issue, the suggestions put forward by the judges do not contain many new policies or measures, instead relying on laws that are already in vogue. Click here to read… [19]

‘Nawaz’s man’ Ishaq Dar gets another feather in his cap-Dawn

The PML-N government on Sunday appointed Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar — a close confidant of ex-PM Nawaz Sharif — as the deputy prime minister, in a move that took many by surprise, but drew hardly any criticism from its allies. According to a notification by the Cabinet Divi¬sion, the appointment was made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif “with immediate effect and until further orders”. Mr Dar is currently accompanying PM Shehbaz at the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) special meeting in Saudi Arabia. Click here to read… [20]

Sri Lanka

SLFP faction distances from Maithri’s claims – Daily Mirror

In an effort to nip any discord with India in the bud, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) faction led by Nimal Siripala de Silva as acting chairman called on Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and disassociated itself from remarks by its former Chairman Maithripala Sirisena implicating alleged Indian involvement in orchestrating the Easter Sunday attacks, an informed source said. Click here to read… [21]

Govt. concerned over project implementation at snail’s pace – Daily Mirror

Ahead of the presidential election, the government has allocated Rs.100 million for each divisional secretariat area for development projects and instructed the ruling party MPs to accelerate implementation of them, Daily Mirror learns. Click here to read… [22]

Sri Lanka settles 35 out of 250 million dollars owed to Iran – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka had settled US $ 35 million out of US$ 250 million owed to Iran for oil purchased in 2012, an official said. Sri Lanka could not make payment because of sanctions on Iran. Later, the government decided to settle the dues bartering tea for oil. Click here to read… [23]

Overseas Sri Lankans back NPP this time like they backed Gota in 2019: Anura Kumara – Daily Mirror

Claiming that overseas Sri Lankans played a key role in bringing former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to power in the 2019 Presidential election, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the National People's Power has been the main choice of the overseas Sri Lankans this time. Click here to read… [24]