VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: 12th March, 2019

PAKISTAN

China wants serious talks before UNSC body takes up JeM case: Dawn

March 12, 2019

Beijing on Monday emphasised “responsible and serious discussions” as diplomacy picked pace ahead of the date for UN Security Council’s sanctions committee to take up a fresh resolution for listing of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar. “China will continue to communicate and work with relevant parties in a responsible manner so as to properly resolve this matter. Only by making a decision through responsible and serious discussions can we resolve the issue in a sustainable manner,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a media briefing in Beijing while responding to a query about China’s position on the issue.Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Herat- Delhi Air Corridor Launched:Tolo News

The first cargo of Afghan goods was sent to New Delhi from Herat Airport on Monday, making it the third air corridor between Afghanistan and India after Kabul and Kandahar. The shipment contained 200 kilograms of saffron and 1,600 kilograms of pistachios. “Through air corridors, we can connect Afghanistan’s private sector with world markets and do not wait for Afghanistan to wait for a country, but Afghanistan has alternative routes,” said Ajmal Hamid Abdul Rahimzai, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce. “India is a very bit market and I am sure that once this saffron from Herat goes to India, you will not have enough saffron to export to India because then there will be so much of demand,” said Kumar Gaurav India’s Consul General to Herat.Click here to read.... [3]

NEPAL

No question of referendum on national integrity and sovereignty, PM Oli says

March 12, 2019

Amid a swirl of controversy over the interpretation of the deal signed between the government and CK Raut, coordinator of the Alliance for Independent Madhes, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said there is no question of referendum on the issues of national integrity and sovereignty. Addressing the 18th anniversary of National Security Council meeting on Monday, Oli said neither the 11-point agreement talks about the referendum nor is that its spirit. He claimed that the agreement has brought an end to the secessionist demand and given a message that separatist force has no future.Click here to read.... [4]

CHINA

Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He discusses trade deal text with US’ Robert Lighthizer and Steven Mnuchin: South China Morning Post

March 12, 2019

Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He discussed a trade agreement text with his US counterparts on Tuesday, seeking to end their prolonged trade war amid uncertainties over their negotiations.Click here to read.... [5]

Commentary: A landmark law in China's opening up: Xinhuanet

March 11, 2019

Trade and investment are considered the main engines for growth and development, especially for developing countries. While trade, mainly refers to the trade of goods, makes merchandise to flow between countries, foreign investment enables capital, technology and expertise to move across borders. China's economic development over the past four decades is largely credited to the reform and opening up featuring substantive inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI). According to data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), FDI inflow to China has ranked first among developing countries for 27 consecutive years.Click here to read.... [6]