VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: April 9, 2019

PAKISTAN

In last round with IMF, Asad sees growth, stability: Dawn
April 9, 2019

Finance Minister Asad Umar on Monday announced the government’s strategy to deliver on Medium Term Economic Framework (MTEF 2019-2023) targets to be finalised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) later this month. The “economic growth rate would be the highest in 2023 compared to last 15 years on the completion of five-year term of the our term,” he said without giving a target. He said the PTI-government’s performance should be viewed on how it addresses Pakistan’s ‘three chronic deficits’ — fiscal deficit, current account deficit and the savings and investment gap. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Foreign Forces Convoy Attacked Near Bagram Airbase: Tolo
April 8, 2019

A foreign forces convoy was targeted by a car bomb explosion near the Bagram Airbase in Parwan province at around 5:30pm on Monday, Bagram district governor Abdul Shakoor Qudoosi confirmed. He said the attack happened near the third gate of the Bagram Airfield. Qudoosi said the attack was carried out by an explosive-laden vehicle. The foreign forces have cordoned off the area and there is no report on possible casualties, he said. Taliban in a statement claimed the responsibility of the attack on and claimed that the suicide attacker destroyed two tanks and killed over 10 US military servicemen. Click here to read... [3]

SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka seeks enhanced military training from India: The Hindu
April 9, 2019

Sri Lanka has sought enhanced military training from India, according to President Maithripala Sirisena’s office. Visiting Indian Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra called on Mr. Sirisena on Monday, and wide-ranging matters, including bilateral defence cooperation between the neighbouring countries and regional security, were discussed, officials said. “India and Sri Lanka agreed to increase cooperation in security and defence spheres in several areas, including regional security, curbing drug smuggling and human trafficking and training of members of the security forces,” a statement from the presidential media unit said. Click here to read... [4]

NEPAL

Interim order not to implement government’s decision on citizenship: Kathmandu Post
April 9, 2019

The Supreme Court has issued an interim order to the government instructing not to implement the circular issued by the Home Ministry on April 2 allowing chief district officers across the country to issue citizenship by descent to the children whose parents are citizens by birth. A single bench of Justice Purushottam Bhandari issued the interim order on Monday. The court has also issued an interlocutory interim order summoning the plaintiff and the defendants for discussion on the issue on April 16. Click here to read... [5]

CHINA

Li urges closer China-Europe cooperation for mutual benefit: People's Daily
April 9, 2019

China and Europe stand to benefit from closer cooperation, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in a signed article published Monday in German newspaper Handelsblatt as he kicked off a visit to the continent. In the article titled Embracing Openness and Cooperation for Mutual Benefit, Li pointed to rising instabilities and uncertainties in the international situation and a resurgence of protectionism, unilateralism and anti-globalization sentiments. Click here to read... [6]

Xi stresses wide participation in promoting afforestation: Xinhuanet
April 9, 2019

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday stressed efforts to carry forward the Chinese nation's tradition of loving, planting and protecting trees, and to involve the whole society in promoting afforestation. Wide participation by everyone in China should be encouraged in pushing for large-scale afforestation of the country to achieve more tangible results, said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Click here to read... [7]