VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: April 23, 2019

PAKISTAN

US emissary coming for economic, geopolitical talks: Dawn
April 23, 2019

The in-charge of South Asia affairs at the US State Department, Alice Wells, is reaching Islamabad this week for talks on both economic and geopolitical issues, the department announced on Monday. “In Islamabad, she will meet senior Pakistani government officials to discuss bilateral issues of mutual interest including trade, investment and regional stability,” said a statement issued by the State Department’s spokesperson’s office. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Moscow To Host Trilateral Meeting On Afghan Peace: Tolo News
April 23, 2019

Moscow will host a trilateral meeting on the Afghan peace within the next two days between Russia, China and the United States, the Russian Embassy in Kabul said in a statement on Tuesday. The meeting will be held at special representatives’ level in Moscow on April 25, the statement said. The US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad, who has started his sixth multi-nation trip on Afghan peace, will also attend the meeting, the statement said. The statement added that Zamir Kaboluv will represent Russia in the meeting. Click here to read.... [3]

NEPAL

Ruling party says unification concludes, but leaders see more challenges: Kathmandu Post
April 23, 2019

Almost a year after the announcement of a merger between two leftist forces to form the country’s largest communist party, leaders on Monday announced official conclusion of the unification process. At a programme organised in the Capital to announce a closure of the unification process, Co-chairmen KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal described the development as a major milestone in Nepal’s communist movement. The programme was scheduled for April 22, to coincide with the establishment day of the communist party in Nepal 70 years ago. The two parties, which followed completely different ideologies, formed an alliance in October 2017, months ahead of the historic general election under the constitution promulgated in 2015. Click here to read.... [4]

SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka Blasts Live News: 8 Indians killed in Easter blasts in Sri Lanka: Economic Times
April 23, 2019

Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry has confirmed the death of one more individual - H Shivakumar - in the blasts yesterday, taking the total number of Indian deaths in the tragedy to 8 till now," the Indian High Commission in Colombo tweeted. Click here to read.... [5]