VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: October 28, 2020

PAKISTAN

PM restates peace offer, asks India to lift siege of held Kashmir: DAWN

Prime Minis­ter Imran Khan on Tuesday reiterated conditional offer of peace to India, saying peace was linked to alleviating suffering of the Kashmiris and settlement of the dispute. “We are ready for peace. But, for that India will have to end military siege of Kashmir and give right of self-determination to the Kashmiris in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions,” he said in a video statement on the occasion of Kashmir Black Day. .Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Khalilzad Calls for Urgent Reduction of Violence in Afghanistan: TOLO News

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, on Tuesday said he returned to the region “disappointed” that despite commitments to lower violence, it has not happened, referring to a recent surge in Taliban attacks as well as civilian and Afghan forces casualties in the country. The Defense Ministry on Tuesday said the Taliban staged attacks and other “violent activities” in at least 22 provinces over the past 24 hours. .Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

Covid-19: Bangladeshi migrant workers step up in Singapore: Dhaka Tribune

Several Bangladeshi migrant workers in Singapore have taken up leadership roles during the Covid-19 pandemic, to ensure the health and welfare of their communities. These workers helped their communities tackle the Covid-19 pandemic through various means, ranging from raising awareness to coordinating with non-government organizations (NGOs) to distribute masks, according to Malaysia-based English newspaper the Straits Times. .Click here to read... [4]

NEPAL

Indian Army chief to visit Nepal on November 4: The Kathmandu Post

Indian Army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane is arriving in Nepal on November 4, the Nepal Army confirmed on Tuesday. According to the Nepal Army, General Narvane is arriving in Kathmandu on November 4 at the invitation of Chief of the Army Staff General Purna Chandra Thapa. “The main highlight of the visit will be the conferment of the rank of an honorary general of the Nepali Army to General Naravane by President of Nepal, Bidya Devi Bhandari, on November 5 amidst a special ceremony,” reads a statement issued by the Nepal Army. .Click here to read... [5]

SRI LANKA

Security, economic development to feature in talks with Pompeo: Daily Mirror

Security, economic development and the technology sector cooperation will feature in bilateral discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today, Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardane said yesterday. Mr. Pompeo arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday evening from New Delhi where he held bilateral talks with the Indian leaders. He was received by State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya and Foreign Secretary Jayanath Kolombage. .Click here to read... [6]