VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: 19th March, 2019

PAKISTAN

Pakistani, Indian officials meet to discuss Kartarpur Corridor modalities today: Dawn
March 19, 2019

Technical experts from India and Pakistan are meeting on Tuesday at the proposed zero points to discuss and finalise the alignment of the Kartarpur Corridor, which is to be opened to Sikh pilgrims this year to commemorate Baba Guru Nanak's 550th birth anniversary. The groundbreaking of the project on the Pakistani side was performed by Prime Minister Imran Khan at Kartarpur Sahib on Nov 28, 2018. After a bit of wrangling over the venue of talks on the Kartarpur Corridor Accord, Pakistan and India had agreed in principle in February on reciprocal visits of officials for negotiating and finalising the agreement, with a Pakistani delegation travelling to Delhi on March 14 for initiating the process, while India is expected to reciprocate with a visit to Pakistan at Wagah border on April 2. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

One of 7 Kidnapped Indians Returns Home From Afghanistan: Tolo News
March 19, 2019

One of the seven Indian nationals has safely returned to India ten months after being kidnapped in northern Baghlan province, the India’s External Affairs Ministry said Monday. The statement said that India continued to work closely with the Afghan government for the safe and early return of the remaining six Indian nationals. "We are grateful to Government of Afghanistan for their support in securing the release and repatriation of the Indian national," according to the statement. The Indian engineers of KEC International, an RPG group company, were working on a project for the construction of a power sub-station in the country. Click here to read.... [3]

NEPAL

After quitting ‘Free Madhes’ campaign, CK Raut launches a new party: Kathmandu Post
March 19, 2019

Six years of struggle to generate momentum for creating a separate Madhes. In and out of jail for about a dozen times on various charges. Behind bars for five consecutive months since October last year. And months-long negotiations. All that culminated in a deal between the government and CK Raut on March 8. And days after signing the deal with the government, Raut’s Alliance for Independent Madhes said on Monday that it was making forays into peaceful politics to continue the struggle for the rights of the people. Concluding a two-day meeting of the National Council of the alliance in Lahan, Siraha on Monday, Raut's group said it was launching a new political force named Janamat Party. Click here to read.... [4]

CHINA

China develops anti-stealth radars: People's Daily
March 19, 2019

Chinese arms companies recently made multiple terahertz radiation radar systems with a technology seen by experts as an efficient air-to-ground reconnaissance tool and a potential counter to stealth aircraft. Click here to read.... [5]

Greater Bay Area creates uncertain future for China’s largest fabric market and its 100,000 employees: South China Morning Post
March 19, 2019

Inside a small, dark and cramped residential building in Lujiang, a lively and gritty urban village in the southern city of Guangzhou, Li Hua and other women migrant workers sew beads and plastic diamonds onto skirts. Click here to read.... [6]