Afghanistan
Afghanistan-Iran Trade Reaches $3.366B in 1403: Ministry-Tolo News
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce reported that in the solar year 1403, trade between Afghanistan and Iran amounted to $3.366 billion. The spokesperson of the ministry, Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, stressed that $55 million of this total consisted of exports. The spokesman stated: “Trade between Afghanistan and Iran in 1403 reached a value of $3.366 billion, of which $55 million were exports and $3.311 billion were imports.” Click here to read…
Afghanistan Aims to Launch Trilateral Trade Route with Uzbekistan, Pakistan-Tolo News
Officials from the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment have announced that the country is working to establish a trilateral transit corridor with Uzbekistan and Pakistan as part of efforts to boost trade. Mohammad Younus Mohmand, First Deputy of the Chamber, emphasized that expanding trade and transit relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan is vital for the economic growth of both nations. Click here to read…
Envoy: TTP 'Major Obstacle' in Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations-Tolo News
Amid strained relations between Kabul and Islamabad, Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan's special representative for Afghanistan, stated at a meeting in Islamabad that Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is a major obstacle between the two countries and stressed the need to resolve this issue. The Pakistani envoy warned that if this issue is not addressed, all agreements between the two countries will be cancelled. Click here to read…
Taliban denies reports of Bagram Airbase handover to the US-The Khaama Press
In a recent statement, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban’s Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, rejected reports of a U.S. military C-17 aircraft landing at Bagram Airbase. Mujahid called these reports “propaganda” aimed at misleading the public. He emphasized that the Taliban would not permit any foreign military presence in Afghanistan, stressing that there was no current need for such presence. Click here to read…
Bhutan
Bhutan targets 485 MW green hydrogen capacity by 2050- Bhutan Today
The country’s first green hydrogen pilot plant, located in Gidawom near the Thimphu-Paro highway, is expected to begin with a 1-megawatt (MW) facility and scale up to a 5-MW electrolyzer with on-site refueling infrastructure. This is part of USD 395 million green hydrogen strategy to support the decarbonisation of transport and industrial sectors in the country by 2050. Green hydrogen refers to a clean and sustainable energy source produced through electrolysis of water using renewable energy. Unlike other types of hydrogen, which are produced from fossil fuels, green hydrogen has plays a pivotal role in low-carbon energy transition. The project, presented during a discussion on “Exploring Green Hydrogen Potential in Bhutan” organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR). This marks a strategic shift in the country’s clean energy ambitions—from traditional hydropower to hydrogen fuel technologies as a complementary sources of energy. Click here to read…
A momentous bond: Bhutan welcomes Thailand’s Royal Family – Kuensel
In a celebration of friendship and mutual respect, Bhutan is gearing up for a historic State Visit from the King and Queen of Thailand. Scheduled for April 25-28, 2025, this anticipated visit by Their Majesties King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana marks a significant chapter in the deep and enduring relations between the two nations, traditionally defined by the strong ties between their Royal Families. Bhutan’s Ambassador to Thailand, Kinzang Dorji, describes this moment as a ‘watershed moment’, one that will usher in a new era of cooperation and cultural exchange. Click here to read…
Experts from India, Bhutan warn of risks from China's proposed dam on Brahmaputra – The Tribune
Amid growing concerns over China's plans to construct the "world's largest dam" on Brahmaputra, experts from India and Bhutan have voiced serious reservations about the project, warning of environmental and geopolitical risks. Neeraj Singh Manhas, Advisor at Parley Policy Initiative, said China had been planning mega project for some time on Yarlung Tsangpo river. Yarlung Tsangpo is called Brahmaputra when it enters Assam. He said while China may justify the hydroelectric project in terms of its push towards renewable sources of energy, the project has ramifications for India--especially in the Northeast. Click here to read…
Oman In Talks with Bhutan for Potential Bitcoin Mining Partnership – Blockzeit
Bhutan emerged as a surprise entry to the top governments in terms of Bitcoin (BTC) reserves. Last year, crypto exchange and analytics platform Arkham Intelligence confirmed the massive Bitcoin holdings of the kingdom situated in the Eastern Himalayas, which even surpassed El Salvador’s digital asset ownership. From then on, it has been on the cryptocurrency community’s radar. Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that it participated in the meeting with Bhutan’s Special Economic Zone team alongside the Oman Investment Authority. Interestingly, the Bhutanese GMC (Gelephu Mindfulness City) project’s CEO, Liew Mun Leong, was also present at the event. Click here to read…
Thailand and Bhutan Sign Free Trade Agreement, Aiming to Boost Exports – The Nation
Thailand and Bhutan have signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Thailand's 17th, aimed at expanding export markets and fostering stronger economic ties. The agreement, witnessed by Prime Ministers Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand and Dasho Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan at Government House, opens a new avenue for Thai goods in South Asia. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan announced the signing, highlighting that the FTA, concluded within nine months, marks Bhutan as the third South Asian nation, after India and Sri Lanka, to establish such an agreement with Thailand. This new market is expected to significantly boost Thai exports. Click here to read…
Maldives
Trump announces 10 percent tariff on Maldivian goods exported to US – Sun Online
United States President Donald Trump has announced a 10 percent tariff on Maldivian goods exported to the country. Trump administration has announced new tariffs for goods exported to the US by various nations. With these changes, a 10 percent tariff will be levied on Maldivian goods exported to the United States effective of Saturday, April 5th. Maldivian exports to the US mainly consist of local fisheries products. The tariff imposed on Maldivian exports is relatively small compared to other neighboring nations. A baseline 10 percent tariff has been imposed on all imports to the US and higher duties on some of the country's biggest trading partners. Click here to read…
US begins training for Maldives police, customs and immigration officers – Adhahdu
The US Homeland Security Investigations has launched a training program for Maldives police, customs and immigration officers. The two-day training started on April 6 with 12 customs officers, 12 immigration officers and 11 police officers. The training will provide Maldivian law enforcement officers with the skills and information needed for operations. The United States is currently one of the strictest countries in the world in dealing with foreign nationals. The administration of President Donald Trump is deporting thousands of illegal immigrants to prisons in other countries. Click here to read…
President Committed to Working Closely with Saudi Arabia – PSM News
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday conveyed his intention to continue working closely with the government of Saudi Arabia and expressed hope for the further strengthening of relations in the months to come. The President made these remarks during the farewell call by Matrek bin Abdullah Al-Ajalin Al-Dosari, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the Maldives. During the meeting, the President expressed his gratitude for the significant support provided by the Ambassador throughout his tenure, highlighting the strengthened bilateral relations between the two nations. Click here to read…
Maldives Reaffirms Commitment to Plastic-Free Oceans – PSM News
The Maldives has reaffirmed its commitment to combating plastic pollution by participating in the South Asian Regional Meeting on Plastic-Free Rivers and Seas held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The meeting was jointly organised by the South Asia Cooperative Environment Program (SACEP) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The Ministry of Tourism and Environment said the Maldives was represented at the meeting by its Deputy Minister Ahmed Nizam. During the meeting, Nizam shared information on the country’s progress and goals regarding plastic reduction. Click here to read…
Myanmar
US ups Myanmar quake aid, says others should bear burden – Myanmar Now
The United States said on Friday it was raising its assistance to earthquake-hit Myanmar but added it was unfair to expect the nation to keep leading humanitarian relief around the world. The State Department said it was adding $7 million on top of an earlier $2 million, channeled through groups already on the ground in the military-run country where more than 3,000 people are confirmed dead. The assistance will help provide emergency shelter, food, medical care and water, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce wrote on X. The United States has traditionally been at the forefront of disaster relief, but President Donald Trump has dismantled the US humanitarian aid agency, with workers receiving dismissal notices just as the 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck last week. Click here to read…
Rains add to misery in quake-hit Myanmar as death toll rises to 3,471 – Aljazeera
Heavy rains have lashed parts of earthquake-hit Myanmar, complicating relief efforts and raising the risk of disease as the death toll from the powerful quakes that struck the country on March 28 rose to at least 3,471. Aid workers in the hard-hit city of Mandalay, near the epicentre of the earthquake, said on Sunday that rains and winds hit tent camps in the area overnight and in the morning, soaking survivors and their belongings. More bouts of rain were expected later in the day, while temperatures were also forecast to climb to 37 degrees Celsius (98 degrees Fahrenheit). Aid agencies have warned the combination of unseasonable rains and extreme heat could cause outbreaks of disease, including cholera, among quake survivors, who are camping in the open. Click here to read…
After Earthquakes, Came Trump Tariffs: Myanmar's 2nd jolt inside a week – NDTV Worlds
A week after a deadly earthquake struck Myanmar, "Liberation Day" tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump have cast a shadow on the country's economic future as it mitigates vast infrastructural damage. The country, where the toll after a 7.7-magnitude quake climbed past 3,000, has been slapped with 44 per cent tariffs. The nation is facing among those the highest tariffs in the world. Already reeling from political chaos since 2021 when Min Aung Hlaing's military wrested power from the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar has appealed to the international community for aid. Click here to read…
Myanmar junta’s aerial attacks continue, despite post-quake ceasefire – Myanmar Now
Myanmar’s military has continued to launch drone attacks despite declaring a ceasefire in the wake of a deadly earthquake that struck the country late last month, according to local sources. On April 7, regime forces carried out aerial assaults on a resistance-held village in Ayeyarwady Region’s Lemyethna Township, near Rakhine State, said a resident of the area. “We heard several explosions near Tone Taw just this morning. They also attacked with drones two days ago,” the local, from the nearby village of San Kone, told Myanmar Now. The area has been the site of clashes since about a week before a 7.7-magnitude earthquake devastated central Myanmar, including its second-largest city Mandalay, on March 28. A day before the quake, fighting was reported near the No.5 Military Advanced Training School in Kwin Kauk, a village in neighbouring Ingapu Township, sources there said. Click here to read…
MNDAA to Surrender Lashio but Hold Surrounding Country – The Irrawaddy
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance (MNDAA) has agreed to surrender Lashio to the military regime under pressure from China, but its troops will remain stationed around the northern Shan State capital, effectively restricting the junta’s movements. MNDAA troops will withdraw from 12 wards in Lashio but will hold positions close to junta’s Light Infantry Battalion 507, Infantry Battalion 68, and Northeastern Command, and roads connecting Lashio with Namtu, Hsipaw, and Hsenwi townships, The Irrawaddy has learned. Under the China-mediated agreement, the regime in turn is not allowed to conduct military operations in and around Lashio, and its movements will be closely monitored, a source close to the ethnic army. Click here to read…
Pakistan
In first call with FM Dar, US secretary of state expresses desire to boost counterterrorism cooperation-Dawn
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the pair’s first phone call, where America’s top diplomat expressed interest in deepening cooperation in a variety of sectors, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement. According to the statement, Dar held the call — the first between the pair — and discussed bilateral relations, regional security and economic cooperation with his American counterpart. Click here to read…
US ends global UGRAD exchange programme for Pakistan after 15 years-The Express Tribune
The United States has decided to discontinue the Global Undergraduate Exchange programme (Global UGRAD) for students from Pakistan. The programme, which had been in place for 15 years, provided hundreds of Pakistani students with the opportunity to study in the United States. Click here to read…
Pakistan, Turkiye agree on joint oil, gas bids-The Express Tribune
In a significant development, Pakistan and Turkiye have agreed on forging cooperation in oil and gas exploration, which came on the sidelines of Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025. Pakistan and Turkiye signed a joint bidding agreement, according to which they would jointly participate in offshore bidding round to be conducted by Islamabad. Click here to read…
‘Trillions of dollars’ in mineral deposits can help Pakistan say goodbye to institutions like IMF: PM Shehbaz-Dawn
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that if Pakistan managed to harvest its mineral reserves that valued “trillions of dollars”, it could allow the country to say farewell to global financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as he delivered his address at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF25). Click here to read…
