VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: 21st December 21, 2018

PAKISTAN

UAE to deposit $3 billion in State Bank of Pakistan: news agency: Dawn
December 21, 2018

The United Arab Emirates has announced its intention to deposit US$3 billion (equivalent to AED11 billion) in the State Bank of Pakistan "to support the financial and monetary policy of the country", reported WAM, the official news agency of the Emirates. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development said, in a statement today, that it will deposit the said amount in the coming days to enhance liquidity and monetary reserves of foreign currency at the bank. The country's support for Pakistan's fiscal policy is based on the historical ties between the two people, said WAM, and the two friendly countries and the desire to further develop the bilateral cooperation in all fields. Click here to read.... [2]

US envoy questions Afghan Taliban’s desire for peace: Dawn
December 21, 2018

US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad raised doubts on Thursday about the Taliban’s desire to end the 17-year war, after the militants refused to meet a Kabul-backed negotiating team. While he was certain the Afghan government wanted to stop the conflict, Khalilzad told Ariana News that he questioned whether the Taliban were “genuinely seeking peace”. “We have to wait and see their forthcoming steps,” he said, according to a translation of the interview provided by the US embassy in Kabul. Click here to read.... [3]

AFGHANISTAN

Saudi’s Role In Afghan Talks Significant: Ex-Taliban Minister: Tolo News
December 21, 2018

A former official of the Taliban has said that the two-day talks in Abu Dhabi around Afghan peace was important because of Saudi Arabia’s participation as according to him, the US and the Taliban acknowledge the Kingdom’s role in the talks. In a report on Thursday, Arab News quoted Mutasim Agha Jan, Taliban Quetta Shura member and former finance minister of the group during their rule in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, as saying that Taliban has a lot of respect to Saudi leadership and its government. Click here to read.... [4]

NEPAL

Nepali Congress Mahasamiti meet extends as leaders remain at odds: Kathmandu Post
December 21, 2018

With top leaders of the Nepali Congress struggling to find a middle ground on the amended party statute, frustration is mounting among the Mahasamiti members. Several bilateral and multilateral talks are under way, along with the party Central Working Committee meeting, at NC headquarters in Sanepa and party Parliamentary Office in Singha Durbar for the past several days failed to reach an agreement on the party’s charter. As a result, the meeting--originally scheduled to last five days--is likely to extend for eight days, forcing dozens of frustrated Mahasamiti members to leave Kathmandu in anger. Th Mahasamiti meeting resumed its proceedings at the party office in Sanepa. Click here to read.... [5]

BANGLADESH

Bangladesh polls: India sending three officials as election observers to Bangladesh: Times Now
December 21, 2018

India is sending three senior officials as election observers to Bangladesh for the upcoming polls in that country, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. The officials are being sent following an invitation from the Election Commission of Bangladesh, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. The general elections will be held in Bangladesh on December 30. Bangladesh has requested several other countries also to send observers to witness the elections. Click here to read.... [6]

CHINA

Beijing open to more trade negotiations: China Daily
December 21, 2018

The Ministry of Commerce confirmed a plan for more trade talks with the United States in January, adding that Beijing continues to make positive gestures. Ministry spokesman Gao Feng said at a weekly briefing on Thursday in Beijing that there were plans to hold further talks on trade with the US, and the two sides have been in close contact. Click here to read.... [7]