VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: 8th March, 2019

PAKISTAN

Deal allows Pakistan to use F-16s as ‘deterrence against India’: Dawn

March 8, 2019

The United States, while providing F-16 fighter jets to Islamabad, not only acknowledged the aircraft’s “deterrence value” to Pakistan in a future conflict with India but also noted that it could prevent a nuclear clash between the two neighbours. Both points are specifically mentioned in a message the then US ambassador in Islamabad Anne Patterson sent to the State Department on April 24, 2008.Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

China Calls For Int’l Community’s Firm Support To Afghan Peace: Tolo News

March 8, 2019

China calls on the international community to give firm support for the “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned” reconciliation process, according to Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday. “Afghanistan is at a critical moment; the country will see potential dawn of peace, while facing the buildup of risks and challenges. Pursuing peace requires more courage than stoking conflict.Click here to read... [3]

NEPAL

CK Raut quits secessionist movement to join mainstream politics: Kathmandu Post

March 8, 2019

Free Madhes campaigner and coordinator of Alliance for Independent Madhes CK Raut has renounced his secessionist campaign in a function organised at City Hall in Kathmandu on Friday. An 11-point agreement paper was signed between government and Raut during a joint press meeting held in the presence of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa signed the agreement on behalf of the government.Click here to read... [4]

CHINA

First Confucius University likely to be built to link overseas: Global Times

March 7, 2019

A political advisor from East China's Shandong Province has proposed the establishment of the country's first Confucius University, which could serve as a link to overseas Chinese and a study center for their children. Yang Chaoming, head of the Confucius Research Institute of China and member of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, told the Global Times that building a Confucius University is needed. Click here to read... [5]

Local govts not allowed to raise new 'hidden' debt: China Daily

March 8, 2019

China will not allow new local government debt to be raised in "hidden ways", nor will it ease the controls on government debt financing despite the heavy fiscal pressure the country faces this year, Minister of Finance Liu Kun said on Thursday.Click here to read... [6]