VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: February 11, 2022

Afghanistan

Special relationship with Afghan people, UNSC resolution to continue to guide Afghan policy, India said: The Hindu

India on February 10 said that its “special relationship” with the Afghan people and the key elements of a UN Security Council resolution will continue to guide its approach towards Afghanistan. Click here to read... [2]

Imran Khan govt failing to shape its strategy against Afghan Taliban as TTP surges attacks against Pak: ANI

The Imran Khan government is unable to shape its clear strategy towards the Afghan Taliban as differences between the two have widened in recent days after terrorists belonging to Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) -- an affiliate of the Taliban -- from across the border in Afghanistan, killed five Pakistani soldiers recently, according to a media report. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

Bangladesh releases draft rules to regulate OTT, based on India's IT norms - Business Standard

The Bangladesh government has introduced regulations, similar to the one brought by India's IT rules, for social and digital media, including Over-the-top (OTT) platforms. Click here to read... [4]

Indian envoy pays visit to Bangladesh Rear Admiral, discusses improving sub-regional connectivity - ANI

Indian envoy pays visit to Bangladesh Rear Admiral, discusses improving sub-regional connectivity. Indian envoy pays visit to Bangladesh Rear Admiral, discusses improving sub-regional connectivity. Click here to read... [5]

Ashok Leyland supplies 200 trucks to Bangladesh under the GoI credit line - The Hindu Business Line

Truck and bus maker Ashok Leyland said that it is supplying 200 trucks to the Government of Bangladesh. “These trucks will be a part of a project from India under a $2 billion line of credit announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” according to a statement. Click here to read... [6]

50 years of US-Bangladesh ties: Blinken invites Momen to Washington - The Daily Star

US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken has invited Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen to visit Washington DC to mark the 50th year of bilateral ties that began with the emergence of independent Bangladesh half a century ago. Click here to read... [7]

Former Bangladesh high commissioner's arrest in 'accordance with law' - Malaysiakini

Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin today confirmed that former Bangladesh high commissioner Mohamed Khairuzzaman is currently detained by the authorities.
Without disclosing what offence Mohamed was arrested for, he said the arrest of the former diplomat was carried out in accordance with existing legal procedures. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

Root out corruption - Keunsel

In the past two years, courts have convicted about 60 people for bribery and fraud in connection with the issuance of driving licences.

No Board Exams for class X if COVID-19 situation deteriorates - The Bhutanese

If the COVID-19 situation deteriorates and prolongs in more than 50 percent of schools in the country by 14 March 2022, then the Bhutan Council for School Examinations and Assessment (BCSEA) will conduct examination only for class XII, based on the rescheduled examinations timetable. Click here to read... [9]

NCWC receives 18 cases of GBV and child protection within two weeks - The Bhutanese

National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC) plays a major role in responding to Gender Based Violence (GBV), especially during lockdowns. This lockdown, NCWC received 18 cases related to GBV and child protection in two weeks’ time since 16 January 2022.
https://thebhutanese.bt/ncwc-receives-18-cases-of-gbv-and-child-protection-within-two-weeks/" target="_blank">Click here to read...

Monopoly must end to ensure food security - Keunsel

The recent incidents of Karma Feed essentially threatened the fundamentals of the right to food for many, the farmers as well as the consumers. When things become exorbitantly expensive, our people, comprising mostly the poorer sections of society are forced to compromise on the quality of the food they eat.
https://kuenselonline.com/monopoly-must-end-to-ensure-food-security/" target="_blank">Click here to read...

Maldives

MTCC wraps up Sh. Feevah harbor development project - Raajje

The project was contracted to be completed within 390 days. The project is valued at MVR 67.6 million. The project was initiated on 23 July 2019, according to MTCC. Click here to read... [10]

3,044 more persons inoculated against Covid-19 - Raajje

98,014 booster doses have been administered so far.27,540 persons are currently awaiting second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. It has been a year since President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih launched the national vaccination drive on 1 February 2021. Click here to read... [11]

Myanmar

Myanmar Army and Arakan Army fight for four straight days - Mizzima

The AA base in Letpan Range, about three kilometers from Mee Taik village in northern Maungdaw Township, was attacked by Tatmadaw Infantry Battalion No. 352 troops (Kha Ma Ya 352) on the afternoon of February 4 and fighting intensified as an AA scout was killed. Click here to read... [12]

Will Australia use its amended sanctions act against Myanmar? - Lowly Institute

Just weeks before the Christmas Eve massacre, the Australian government amended its Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011. The Act now allows the government to target sanctions according to themes, like malicious cyber activity, serious corruption, or human rights abuse. The Act was deliberately kept broad – along thematic lines – so Australia could respond to such crimes as it decided or could apply sanctions collectively, such as alongside the United States and the United Kingdom. Click here to read... [13]

Resistance Groups Claim to Kill 35 Myanmar Junta Troops - The Irrawaddy

On Tuesday afternoon, 22 soldiers were killed or injured when seven resistance forces ambushed a military convoy with mines on the Pale-Yinmabin highway in Yinmabin Township, Sagaing Region. Click here to read... [14]

Union Minister for Foreign Affairs briefs diplomats and UN Resident Representatives in Yangon on current political situation in Myanmar - Eleven Myanmar

Firstly, the Union Minister briefed the attendees the matters related to the emergence of the State Administration Council (SAC) and scrutinizing of 2020 electoral process in addressing the issues of electoral fraud following the declaring of state of emergency and transferring of three branches of State power by the Pro Tem President to the Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services, Tatmadaw and the SAC’s endeavours to implement five-point roadmap to ensure the holding of multi-party democratic elections in accordance with the Constitution. Click here to read... [15]

Japan construction giant should end Myanmar military partnership says NGO - Mizzima

International NGO, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that the Japan-based Yokogawa Bridge Corp. should end its partnership with Myanmar military-owned conglomerate, Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC). Click here to read... [16]

Clashes that broke out in Kachin State - Myanmar Now

At the beginning of February between the military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) could become more frequent and severe, a spokesperson for the KIA warned. KIA speculates that battles with Myanmar army could intensify in Kachin StateClick here to read... [17]

Thousands of civilians displaced by military air offensive in Ye-U - Myanmar Now

The Myanmar army carried out airstrikes on eight villages in Sagaing Region’s western Ye-U Township on Sunday and Monday, local sources said. Among the targeted communities were Taung Pyin Nge, Palu Zawa, Auk Yae Twin and Aung Thukha. Click here to read... [18]

Nepal

Top American official says US will review Nepal ties if MCC compact is not ratified: Kathmandu post

Washington has conveyed to Kathmandu that it would be forced to review its ties with Nepal if the Nepali political leadership fails to keep up with their commitments on the $500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation grant signed nearly five years ago. Click here to read... [19]

China imposes 'undeclared blockade' against Nepal: WION News

China's imposition of an 'undeclared blockade' against Nepal has severely disrupted the traffic of consumer items across the border between the two countries. This is resulting in the loss of millions of rupees. China is attempting to tighten its grip on Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani, the two most crucial trading points. Click here to read... [20]

Pakistan

Pakistan says it rejects India's comments on Pakistan-China Joint Statement: The Economic Times

India on Wednesday firmly rejected the references to Jammu and Kashmir and an economic corridor passing through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) made in a China-Pakistan joint statement, asserting that the region as well as the Union Territory of Ladakh "have been, are and will" always remain integral and inalienable parts of India. Click here to read... [21]

West’s suspicion about CPEC, Gwadar projects makes no sense, said PM Imran: Dawn

Prime Minister Imran Khan has dismissed Western countries' suspicion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Gwadar port, adding that the projects were a great opportunity for regional development. Click here to read... [22]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan govt tables PTA amendment bill in Parliament: The Print

The Sri Lankan government on Thursday tabled in Parliament the bill to amend its controversial counter-terrorism law, which has drawn widespread international criticism for its harsh provisions. Click here to read... [23]

Sri Lanka approves law implementing anti-landmine treaty: The Washington Post

Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Thursday approved a law prohibiting the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel land mines to implement an international treaty the nation acceded to five years ago. Click here to read... [24]