Neighbourhood News Digest - 19 May 2025

Afghanistan

Muttaqi at Tehran Forum: Afghanistan Seeks Balanced Foreign Relations-Tolo News

Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate, stressed the importance of positive engagement with other countries based on a balanced foreign policy during the opening day of the "Tehran Dialogue Forum." He described the suppression of ISIS as one of the achievements of the caretaker government and stated that stability in Afghanistan serves the interests of neighboring, regional, and global countries. Click here to read… [2]

Kabulov: The Islamic Emirate Has Appointed Its Ambassador to Moscow-Tolo News

Russia's special envoy for Afghanistan stated that the Islamic Emirate has appointed its ambassador to Moscow. Zamir Kabulov, Russia's special representative for Afghanistan, said that the Islamic Emirate has nominated a diplomat to serve as ambassador of the interim government in Moscow. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the 16th Kazan Forum, Kabulov said that Moscow is currently in the process of reviewing the nominee proposed by the interim government for the Afghan embassy. Click here to read… [3]

India reopens Wagah-Attari Border for Afghanistan transit trucks after weeks of disruption-The Khaama Press

India has reopened the Wagah-Attari Border for Afghanistan transit trucks after weeks of disruption, easing trade and logistics challenges. Following a significant de-escalation in India-Pakistan relations and the implementation of a ceasefire agreement, the Wagah-Attari border has reopened to Afghanistan transit trucks. This vital land route, the only authorized corridor for trade between India and Pakistan, had been closed since April 24 due to security concerns following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Click here to read… [4]

India grants special permit for over 160 Afghanistan trucks to cross Wagah Border-The Khaama Press

India has granted a special permit for over 160 Afghanistan trucks to cross the Wagah Border, facilitating essential trade. Indian media reported that New Delhi has approved the transit of 162 trucks carrying Afghanistan dry fruits and medicinal herbs into India. This decision marks a significant development in trade ties between Afghanistan and India despite regional instability. Click here to read… [5]

Bhutan

Reliance Power teams up with Bhutan for country's largest ever solar energy project at Rs 2000 crore-The Economic Times

Reliance Power on Monday announced that it has signed an agreement with Green Digital Private Limited, a company owned by Bhutan’s government, to help build the country’s largest solar power plant. The project will generate 500 megawatts (MW) of electricity and marks a major step in boosting clean energy in the region. Click here to read… [6]

Maldives

Maldives, India Sign USD 6.48 Million Deal for 13 Projects under HICDP Phase III-PSM News

Maldives and India have signed 13 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for projects to be implemented under the Indian grant assistance scheme—High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) Phase III. The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marking another milestone in the ever-strengthening partnership between the two countries. Click here to read… [7]

Myanmar

58 Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Target Civilians in Two Weeks-The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s regime has continued its airstrikes on mostly civilian targets like schools, hospitals and religious sites. The Irrawaddy has recorded around 58 airstrikes on civilian targets in resistance-held territory since May 2, despite its quake truce, killing at least 86 people and injuring over 200 others. Airstrikes were reported in Rakhine, Chin, Karen, Shan, Karenni and Mon states and Sagaing and Mandalay regions. Click here to read… [8]

Myanmar Junta Abandons Chinese Pipeline amid Resistance Attacks-The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s junta has abandoned an off-take station for the Chinese oil and gas pipelines in Mandalay Region after eight simultaneous resistance attacks on Thursday. Numerous resistance groups attacked the pipeline’s junta guards in Natogyi, Taung Tha, Myingyan and Ngazun townships, according to Mandalay Region sources. Click here to read… [9]

Pakistan

Pakistan warns India: don't weaponise water-The Express Tribune

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has warned India against weaponising water, saying it could unleash consequences that echo for generations, as New Delhi threatens to halt the flow of Indus River waters amid rising tensions. Click here to read… [10]

Dar rushes to China after India conflict-The Express Tribune

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to travel to Beijing on Monday (today) in what appears to be a hastily arranged visit following the recent four-day military confrontation between Pakistan and India. Click here to read… [11]

Ceasefire has no expiry date, official’s say-Dawn

A ceasefire reached between Pakistan and India following days of military confrontation does not have an expiry date, officials from both countries confirmed, putting to rest the speculations that the truce would lapse this weekend unless renewed. Rumours of a Sunday deadline gained traction after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told Pakistan’s Senate last Thursday that the directors general of military operations (DGMOs) from both sides had agreed during a May 14 conversation to extend the ceasefire until May 18. Click here to read… [12]

Balochistan, GB celebrate military victory over India-Dawn

Youm-i-Tashakur (Thanksgiving Day) was observed with enthusiasm across Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday to honour the armed forces for their victory against Indian aggression. The day commenced with 21-gun salutes in provincial capitals Quetta and Gilgit. Recitations of the Holy Quran were held after Fajr prayers in Balochistan. Click here to read… [13]