Neighborhood News Digest- 13 March 2025

Afghanistan

UN to hold meeting on Opium Cultivation and Drug Trafficking in Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is hosting a meeting to examine drug trends in Afghanistan. This session, scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, aims to address critical issues surrounding drug production and trafficking in the country. The meeting will focus on the Taliban’s decree banning the cultivation and trafficking of illicit drugs. This controversial ban has raised concerns about its enforcement and effectiveness, with ongoing challenges in combating drug-related activities. Click here to read… [2]

Pakistani and China’s Special Envoys Discuss Afghanistan and Regional Security Concerns-The Khaama Press

Ambassador Yue Xiaoyong, China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, and his delegation were received in Islamabad today, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. The meeting focused on the evolving geopolitical landscape in the region, with a particular emphasis on the rising security concerns related to Afghanistan. Click here to read… [3]

Bangladesh

Guterres arrives today – The Daily Star

UN Secretary General António Guterres is set to arrive on a four-day visit to Bangladesh this afternoon to witness the Rohingya situation. Guterres's visit, which is his second, is expected to strengthen international efforts to mobilise increased aid for the Rohingya people and reignite global attention on the Rohingya crisis. Click here to read… [4]

New chapter opens in Sino-Bangla ties – The Daily Star

The first batch of Bangladeshi patients reached China's Kunming city for medical treatment on Monday, marking a new chapter in the bilateral ties between the East Asian country and Bangladesh. The development came as the nations are celebrating the golden jubilee of friendship. Click here to read… [5]

Annual budget not to rise in FY26 due to financial crisis – Prothom Alo

The government has decided to downsize the annual budget in the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year. Low revenue collection, sluggish growth in tax and duties, and rising foreign loan repayments prompted the authorities to take this decision. According to finance ministry sources, the next budget is likely to be similar to the current one, or lower than it, as the government decided not to increase the annual budget. Click here to read… [6]

Over 2,600 B’desh infiltrators held in a year, MHA tells Rajya Sabha- Hindustan Times

At least 2,601 Bangladesh citizens were arrested along the Indo-Bangladesh border last year, Union minister Nityanand Rai said in Raja Sabha on Tuesday. Data for each of the 13 months (January 2024 and January 2025) shared by the minister of state for home affairs showed the number of Bangladesh nationals arrested at the border nearly doubled after the political regime change in August last year in comparison to the six-month period before that. Click here to read… [7]

Bhutan

Bhutan and India deepen energy ties with new power agreements – Kuensel

Bhutan and India have further reinforced their long-standing energy partnership with the signing of four key power purchase and sale agreements on March 10 in Thimphu. The agreements, signed between the Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) and PTC India, will deepen cross-border electricity trade, enhancing energy security, and driving economic benefits for both nations. DGPC’s managing director, Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, and PTC India’s director (Marketing), Harish Saran, formalised the agreements in the presence of Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Gem Tshering, and senior officials from both countries. Click here to read… [8]

New Warehouse to Enhance Regional Supply Chain and Stabilize Prices in Eastern Bhutan – Bhutan Today

The construction of a new warehouse in Nganglam, Pemagatshel Dzongkhag, is progressing steadily and is expected to be operational by the third quarter of this year. The facility, which will have a storage capacity of 1,300 metric tons, is poised to become a crucial hub for essential goods, improving food security and stabilizing prices in several eastern and central Dzongkhags. Once completed, it will serve as a strategic distribution point for essential food supplies, benefiting not only Pemagatshel but also Mongar, Trashiyangtse, and Lhuentse Dzongkhags. The warehouse is expected to play a vital role in ensuring the uninterrupted availability of essential food supplies, especially in remote areas where transportation challenges often disrupt the supply chain. Click here to read… [9]

Maldives

President Returns Bill Proposing Reduction of Supreme Court Bench Size – PSM News

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has returned the Fifth Amendment to the Judicature Act, which proposed reducing the number of Supreme Court Justices from seven to five, without ratification. The Parliament passed the amendment during the ninth sitting of its first session of 2025, held on 26 February, and subsequently submitted it to the President’s Office for ratification. The President’s Office said the President returned the bill for Parliament reconsideration on 11 March, in accordance with Article 91(a) of the Constitution. Click here to read… [10]

Maldives Explores Agriculture Collaboration with Ankara University – PSM News

The government has held extensive discussions with a premier Türkiye University to aid its efforts in enhancing food security in the Maldives. The discussions were held by Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Dr Maryam Mariya during a virtual meeting with Necdet Ünüvar, the Rector and team of Ankara University joined by the Maldives Ambassador to Turkey, Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef. The discussions focused on enhancing food security in the Maldives through collaborative research, innovation, and training in crop and livestock production, as well as agro processing, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare said. Click here to read… [11]

Myanmar

Foreigners entering Myanmar via Mizoram to train rebels: CM – The Hindu

Foreigners, including those from the US and the UK, are crossing into Myanmar via Mizoram to impart arms training to insurgents there, CM Lalduhoma informed Mizoram assembly. The CM said while nearly 2,000 foreigners visited Aizawl between June and Dec last year, they were never seen in the streets, alluding to the fears that their main intention had been to cross into Myanmar to interfere in its internal affairs. Centre has been closely watching the situation in the border areas after China and the US involved themselves in Myanmar conflict. The recent visit of Mizoram by the US ambassador to India without any prior intimation also came as a surprise, he said. Click here to read… [12]

Arakan Army Threatens Myanmar Junta Naval Base at Sittwe – The Irrawaddy

The Arakan Army (AA) has advanced towards the Rakhine State capital, Sittwe, including an attack on a junta naval base 4km north of the city, according to the Rakhine media. Western News reported clashes around Thone Soung village and at the Min Gan base, a strategic stronghold fortified with naval vessels. Former army captain Zin Yaw, who defected after the 2021 coup, posted on Facebook on Wednesday that it would be the first junta naval base to fall to the AA. The junta has reinforced the naval base and around Byaing Phyu village outside Sittwe, the Rakhine media reported. Residents have reported junta defensive bases around Byaing Phyu and nearby areas to defend Sittwe. Click here to read… [13]

Pakistan

Balochistan standoff ends after all Jaffar Express hostages rescued-Dawn

After a dramatic showdown with terrorists who had hijacked the Jaffar Express and taken hundreds of passengers hostage, the military announced the conclusion of its rescue operation on Wednesday night. In separate statements, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and Information Minister Atta Tarar announced the successful completion of the operation and the recovery of all hostages. Click here to read… [14]

IMF rejects tax relief on foreign investment projects-The Express Tribune

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has rejected Pakistan’s request to grant tax exemptions for foreign investment projects, Express News reported on Wednesday citing sources. The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) had sought the exemptions during a detailed briefing to the IMF delegation, arguing that tax relief would help attract foreign investors. However, the global lender refused the request, maintaining its stance on fiscal discipline. Click here to read… [15]

Sri Lanka

Tenth Executive President of Sri Lanka will emerge from UNP before long: Wajira – Daily Mirror

The tenth Executive President of Sri Lanka will emerge from UNP before long, UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardana said today. “Many think that the UNP is weak because it commands only one seat in Parliament. The party was left with a solitary seat in the House in 2020 as well. However the party was powerful. UNP is still powerful. The tenth Executive President of Sri Lanka will emerge from UNP before long,” Abeywarena told a ceremony at party headquarters Sirikotha to hand over appointment letters to its new organizers. Click here to read… [16]

Sri Lanka eyes boost for digital economy – China Daily

Sri Lanka is pushing for a digital transformation to shore up its competitiveness and revitalize its economy after severe troubles in the recent past, analysts say. To achieve its goals, the island nation must focus on a critical component of digital development — establishing a forward-looking legal and regulatory framework, they added. Prasad Wijesuriya, general secretary of the Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association, said the transformation aims to strengthen the economy, create high-paying jobs and deliver inclusive public services. Click here to read… [17]