Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s Supreme Council of National Resistance Delegation visits Iran to discuss refugee issues-The Khaama Press
A high-level delegation from Afghanistan’s Supreme Council of National Resistance visited Iran to discuss the challenges faced by Refugees. The Supreme Council of National Resistance for the Salvation of Afghanistan announced on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, that a high-level delegation led by Mohammad Mohaqiq visited Iran to discuss the expulsion of Afghan migrants. The delegation aimed to address the challenges faced by Afghan refugees in Iran and to seek solutions for their repatriation and reintegration. Click here to read…
Afghanistan sends first group of 30,000 Hajj Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia-The Khaama Press
This year, 30,000 Afghan pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, with the first group departing today. The Taliban administration has announced the commencement of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage transfers, with 30,000 Afghans expected to travel to Saudi Arabia. in a statement, the authorities confirmed the official launch of the operation during a ceremony held on Tuesday, April 29. Click here to read…
Tehran Pursues Case of Iranian Prisoners in Afghanistan-Tolo News
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tehran is following up on the status of Iranian prisoners in Afghanistan. The spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a press conference that the number of Iranian prisoners in Afghanistan is very small, and Tehran is seriously pursuing their situation. Click here to read…
Bhutan
MoIT partners with JICA to upgrade National Drone Strategy – Kuensel
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT) is partnering with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to overhaul its National Drone Strategy (NDS), aiming to accelerate the adoption and ensure the safe operation of unmanned aerial vehicles across the country. The goal of this partnership is to develop the necessary drone usage environment for the increased and effective utilisation. Recognising the significant potential of drones, which are unmanned aircraft controlled remotely and applicable to various fields, MoIT initially developed a NDS last December. This strategy will now be reviewed and updated in collaboration with international experts. The commitment to this crucial project was formalised yesterday with the signing of a record of discussions for technical cooperation between the Ministry of Finance, MoIT, and JICA. The Chief Representative of JICA, Yoichiro Kimata, said that the project aims to further accelerate the adoption of drones in Bhutan in refining the NDS and establishing the regulations to ensure the safe and secure operation of drones. Click here to read…
Maldives
Muizzu departs on official visit to Malaysia – Adhadhu
A guided-missile destroyer of the Indian Navy, INS Kochi, has arrived in the Male' area. It is now anchored near Male'. The vessel is in the Maldives to return the Maldives Coast Guard Ship (MCGS) Huravee, which was taken to India for repair work in November. The Indian High Commission said the visit demonstrates the strength of foreign and security ties between the two countries. After the repairs, Huravee was officially handed over to the MNDF at a ceremony held at Hulhumale' harbour on April 28. Commanding Officer of INS Kochi also paid a courtesy call on MNDF Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy. The vessel is now near the Male' commercial port. The Kolkata-class destroyer can carry out a wide range of maritime operations. Click here to read…
MoUs signed to seek assistance from Malaysia – PSM News
The governments of the Maldives and Malaysia have exchanged documents and signed MoUs to strengthen bilateral relations in key areas. MoUs were signed to cooperate in sports, health, tourism, financial services and training of diplomats. MoUs were also signed to seek Malaysian assistance in the defense and digital sectors. Delivering a joint statement after official talks, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu noted the deep-rooted ties between the two countries. “The Maldives and Malaysia are bound by shared values, mutual respect, and a strong foundation of Islamic faith,” he stated. Muizzu highlighted his vision to transform the Maldives–Malaysia partnership through meaningful engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral bonds. Click here to read…
Myanmar
Bangladeshi Islamist Party Proposes Independent Rohingya State in Myanmar’s Rakhine – The Irrawaddy
Bangladesh’s largest Islamist political party, Jamaat-e-Islami, has proposed to China the creation of an independent Rohingya state in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. The proposal was put forward during a meeting with a visiting delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Dhaka on April 27, according to a statement issued by Jamaat. No comment from the visiting Chinese political party delegation was available following what the Jamaat termed a “party-to-party” meeting. The three-member Chinese delegation was headed by Peng Xiubin, director general of the Bureau of Southeast and South Asian Affairs of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC). Click here to read…
Pakistan
Credible intelligence shows India intends military action against Pakistan in next 24-36 hours: Tarar-Dawn
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar early Wednesday morning said that “credible intelligence” reports indicated that India was planning to conduct a military action against Pakistan in the next 24 to 36 hours amid tensions between the two countries after the Pahalgam attack in occupied Kashmir last week that New Delhi blamed on Islamabad, albeit without proof. Click here to read…
IMF to decide $2.3b package on May 9-The Express Tribune
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday announced it would consider Pakistan's request for approval of a $2.3 billion package on May 9, including the approval of the 26th new climate programme, providing markets with clarity on the continuity of IMF-Pakistan relations. Click here to read…
Pakistan to challenge IWT suspension at global forums-The Express Tribune
Pakistan is preparing to take legal action against India at the international level over its suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), as tensions intensify between the two neighbours following an attack on tourists in Pahalgam last week. Minister of State for Law and Justice Aqeel Malik told Reuters late on Monday that Islamabad was working on plans for at least three different legal options, including raising the issue at the World Bank — the treaty's facilitator. Click here to read…
Pakistan shoots down two Indian quadcopters-The Express Tribune
The army on Tuesday shot down two Indian quadcopters sent across the Line of Control (LoC) the de facto border dividing the Himalayan valley of Jammu and Kashmir between the rival neighbours — for spying on Pakistani territory. According to security sources, Indian quadcopter Phantom-4 was shot down in the Satwal sector of the LoC. Earlier on Tuesday, the Pakistan Army had shot down another quadcopter of the Indian 5 Assam Regiment in the Manawar sector of Bhimber. Click here to read…
