VIF Neighbhourhood News Digest: July 18, 2019

PAKISTAN

ICJ rejects India’s plea for Jadhav's return, grants consular access: Dawn
July 18, 2019

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday announced its verdict on the Kulbhushan Jadhav case, ruling that Jadhav be allowed consular access immediately and asking Pakistan to ensure “effective review and reconsideration of his conviction and sentences”. The ICJ, however, rejected all other remedies sought by India, which included the annulment of the military court decision convicting Jadhav, restricting Pakistan from executing the sentence, securing Jadhav's release and ordering his return to India. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Return Of Afghan Refugees Key For Peace: Rahimi: Tolo News
July 18, 2019

President Ashraf Ghani’s special envoy for peace and state minister in peace affairs, Abdul Salam Rahimi, on Wednesday, told members of Afghanistan’s Senate that achieving peace will not be applicable unless all Afghan refugees living abroad return to the country. Rahimi voiced support for the recent diplomatic efforts by the US and the Afghan politicians for engaging in meaningful talks with the Taliban. “One of the conditions of the success of peace is the return of refugees to the country,” Rahimi said. Click here to read... [3]

NEPAL

Government mulls signing agreement with India to allow mutual recognition of domestic pesticide tests: Kathmandu Post
July 18, 2019

In response to the ongoing controversy over pesticide residue tests on imports of Indian farm produce, the government is mulling over signing a Mutual Recognition Agreement with India which provides reciprocal recognition for lab tests conducted in the two countries. When two or more countries enter into a Mutual Recognition Agreement, they agree to recognise each other’s conformity assessments, which are tests conducted to ensure that certain products, services or processes meet predetermined standards, regulations or specifications. Numerous countries and economic blocs practise such Mutual Recognition Agreements, which primarily apply to vegetables, fruits, plants, animals, medicine and even health certificates. Click here to read... [4]

CHINA

China Is Drafting Urgent Plan to Resolve Hong Kong Chaos, SCMP Says: Bloomberg
July 18, 2019

Chinese officials in charge of Hong Kong affairs are working on an urgent strategy to solve the city’s political chaos and have ruled out the use of military force, the South China Morning Post reported, citing unidentified people familiar with the discussions. They will soon present top leaders in Beijing with both an immediate plan to handle the mass protests and a longer-term strategy that could result in China overhauling its management of the former British colony, the newspaper said, without elaborating on a date. Click here to read... [5]

China cannot decide my successor: Dalai Lama: India Today
July 18, 2019

ibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has slammed China for raking up his success issue and has said his successor will be decided by the people of Tibet. Talking about his successor, Chinese authorities said the same has to be decided within China. If India tries to interfere, it will impact bilateral ties. In 1959, following a crackdown on an uprising by the local population in Tibet, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, fled to India. He was granted political asylum here and the Tibetan government-in-exile is based in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh since then. Click here to read... [6]