Neighborhood News Digest-03 June 2024

Afghanistan

Pakistan asks Afghanistan to hand over perpetrators of March terror attack – Tolo News

Pakistan confirmed on May 31 that it had formally asked Afghanistan to hand over the alleged perpetrators of a recent terrorist attack that killed five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver. Their vehicle was targeted in the Besham area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province on March 26. Pakistan's probe showed that the attack was planned and executed by the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from its hideouts in Afghanistan. Click here to read... [2]

Muttaqi: Participation of Kabul in Doha Must Be Meaningful – Tolo News

The acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, in a meeting with Tomas Niklasson, the EU’s special representative for Afghanistan, called for meaningful participation in the third Doha meeting. Zia Ahmad Takal, the deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Amir Khan Muttaqi, in a meeting with Tomas Niklasson, said that they are still deciding on whether or not the Islamic Emirate will participate in the Doha meeting. The third meeting of national special representatives, hosted by the Secretary-General of the United Nations on Afghanistan, is scheduled to be held on June 30 and July 1 of the current year in Qatar. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

Bangladesh-Italy ties transforming with strategic elements – Dhaka Tribune

Minister for Industries Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun on June 2 highlighted the evolving ties between Bangladesh and Italy, describing it as transitioning towards a comprehensive partnership with strategic dimensions. He expressed satisfaction at the progress in bilateral relations during a reception held by Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro on Italy's 78th Republic Day. Click here to read... [4]

Will work with countries that support our dev: PM – The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladeshi government will work with countries that support nation's development and prosperity, regardless of their involvement in conflicts. The prime minister was distributing awards among the first, second and third winners in several categories in the national level competition of making a one-minute video documentary titled "Amar Chokhe Bangabandhu" (Bangabandhu in my eyes) at Gono Bhaban. Click here to read... [5]

Bhutan

Special office to assist returning Bhutanese will not divert attention: PM – Kuensel

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has assured citizens that the new office for returning Bhutanese will not divert the government’s focus from domestic issues, particularly rising youth unemployment and other support needed by citizens within the country. The announcement of the office earlier garnered criticism from some sections of the society stating that the government was neglecting Bhutanese citizens already in the country. Click here to read... [6]

Maldives

Govt seeks conversion of USD 50 million Indian loan to grant– Adhadhu

The government will request India to convert a USD 50 treasury bond purchased by the State Bank of India to a grant, Finance Minister Dr. Mohamed Shafeeq said on May 28. At a press conference by the Finance Ministry, Shafeeq said India had rolled over USD 50 million owed in May and that the government was working to convert USD 50 million owed in September to a grant. The government had built up the capacity to repay the USD 50 million in May, but the payment rollover was proof of restored ties between the countries, Shafeeq said. Click here to read... [7]

Exploring fastest legal route to ban Israel's passport: Minister Ihusan – The Edition

The government is exploring the fastest legal route to prohibit Israeli passport holders from entering the Maldives, said Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusan at a special press conference held at the President's Office. The Maldives' government announced it's decision to amend the country's laws to ban anyone trying to enter the country on an Israeli passport as a stance of solidarity with Palestine amidst the ongoing genocide against Palestinian people by Israel. Click here to read... [8]

Foreign Minister Zameer to undertake official visit to Colombo – Adhadhu

Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer will undertake an official visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka from June 3 to June 6. The Foreign Ministry said the visit will be made on the invitation of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry. During the visit, Zameer is scheduled to pay courtesy calls on President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. He will also hold bilateral talks with Sabry and explore avenues to further strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries. Click here to read... [9]

Myanmar

Myanmar resistance appeals to Japan for aid - NHK

Senior officials of Myanmar's ethnic minority and pro-democracy groups visited Tokyo in May to request support for their struggle against the ruling junta. The rebel alliance has escalated its resistance since October, prompting brutal reprisals that have worsened Myanmar's humanitarian crisis. NHK spoke to the head of the Karen National Union (KNU) and a minister of the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) during their visit. Click here to read... [10]

Assam Riffles Provide Free Medical Care to Villages on Manipur-Myanmar Border - Sentinel Assam

In commendable effort to foster goodwill and trust Indian security forces, in collaboration with Diocesan Social Service Society (DSSS) have provided free medical treatments to hundreds of tribal villagers residing along Manipur-Myanmar border. The initiative took place over three days, and concluded on June 1. The focus was on improving health literacy and community well-being in these remote areas. Click here to read... [11]

Access Now issues report highlighting internet shutdowns and repression in Myanmar - Mizzima

NGO Access Now recently released a report that includes Myanmar’s iron curtain internet shutdowns and repression in 2023 that looks at the Myanmar junta’s control and censorship of the internet in the crisis-hit country. By almost every measure, 2023 was the worst year of internet shutdowns on record on a world level, the report released on 15 May says. Authorities deliberately interrupted the internet at least 283 times in 39 countries concealing, enabling, and exacerbating violence, war crimes, attacks on democracy, and other atrocities, crushing the human rights of millions of people. Click here to read... [12]

Nepal

What about Nepal’s democracy - Khabar Hub

While there had already been various attempts within Nepal in the later Rana period, the party political foundations were only initiated by young Nepalis in exile in India at the end of the 1940s. The 1950s were a period of conflict between the monarchy, which was endeavouring to restore its absolutist power, and young, inexperienced party-political forces. As is well known, the absolutist Hindu monarchy prevailed under King Mahendra. Click here to read... [13]

Nepal charts economic strategy amid volatility - Khabar Hub

Last week’s economic updates showcased a landscape marked by volatility and strategic planning. Gold prices fluctuated throughout the week, responding to global instability, geopolitical tensions, and monetary policy shifts. The Nepalese stock market mirrored this volatility, with the NEPSE index experiencing fluctuations amidst economic uncertainties. Click here to read... [14]

China's Nepal envoy Chen Song faces local ire after public spat with intellectuals - Economic Times

China's ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, is the new "wolf warrior diplomat" in South Asia, having kicked up a controversy targeting a local journalist who criticised China's loan policy for Nepal. Wolf warrior diplomacy refers to hyper public diplomacy by Chinese diplomats targeting host governments, visible since the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here to read... [15]

Is China swindling Nepal over repayment of Pokhara airport loan - Sunday Gaurdian

It has been claimed that China’s loan to Nepal is being serviced at 5% and not 2%, as publicly claimed by China. Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, has courted controversy. He is being accused of crossing the diplomatic lines after he publicly threatened a senior journalist on X (formerly Twitter) after the said journalist claimed that the loan provided by China’s Export-Import Bank to Nepal to develop the Pokhara International Airport was being serviced by Nepal at the rate of 5% and not 2% as was being publicly claimed by Chinese authorities. Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan

Pakistan Authorities To Probe Imran Khan Over Controversial X Post - NDTV

The Pakistani authorities are set to probe jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and at least three senior leaders of his party over a controversial tweet accompanied by a video made from his account about the separation of East Pakistan in 1971. Imran Khan's account, managed by his social media team due to his incarceration, on May 26 shared a video with a quote attributed to him on X, stating: "Every Pakistani should study the Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report and get to know who was the true traitor, General Yahya Khan or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman." The Hamoodur Rahman Commission probed the fall of East Pakistan and compiled a report which had not been officially released. Click here to read... [17]

Helen Mary Roberts becomes first woman brigadier in Pakistan Army from minority community - Deccan Herald

Dr Helen Mary Roberts, serving in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps, has made history by becoming the first woman from Christian and minority community to achieve the rank of brigadier in the country's history. Brigadier Helen was among Pakistan Army officers promoted as brigadiers and full colonels by the Selection Board, The News reported on Sunday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Helen on her promotion as Brigadier, saying the whole nation was proud of her and thousands of hardworking women like her from minority communities who are serving the country with distinction. Click here to read... [18]

Pakistan reports fourth polio case of year - The Hindu

Pakistan has reported the fourth polio case of the year, jolting the country's efforts to eradicate the crippling disease. The case was reported on Saturday as the government appointed a new head of the polio eradication programme after his predecessor stepped down during the week. Click here to read... [19]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka struggles with surge in international drug smuggling - Daily Mirror

Containment of the trafficking of drugs, originating from Afghanistan and transported by sea in Iranian dhows from the Makran Coast, had become increasingly challenging for the Sri Lankan authorities given the modus-operandi of drug cartels, a top source here said yesterday. Heroin, and increasingly methamphetamine, are trafficked along with what is known as the ‘Southern Route’ originating from Afghanistan and being transported by sea from the Makran Coast to Eastern and Southern Africa despite Navy continuing to seize large hauls of drugs running into hundreds of kilos at times. Click here to read... [20]

IMF Board to take up Sri Lanka program review on June 12 - Economy Next

The International Monetary Fund has has scheduled June 12 for its Executive Board to take up Sri Lanka’s program review. “The session will evaluate Sri Lanka’s economic policies and reform progress,” State Minister for Finance Shehan Semasinghe said. “We look forward for continued support of all countries for a successful review to unlock the third tranche, which will further enhance economic stability, growth, and reform efforts.” Click here to read... [21]

Saudi foreign ministry official receives credentials of new Sri Lanka envoy - Arab News

Abdulmajeed Al-Samary, undersecretary of protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently received the credentials of Sri Lanka’s newly appointed ambassador to the Kingdom Omar Lee Ameer Ajwad on behalf of Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Click here to read... [22]