Afghanistan
India-Pakistan Tensions Disrupt Afghanistan's Trade Routes, Economy-Tolo News
Fresh tensions between India and Pakistan have posed challenges to Afghanistan’s trade, resulting in the halt of export shipments at regional ports. The Chamber of Commerce and Investment stated that this situation has added more pressure to Afghanistan’s economy. Abdul Latif Nazari, deputy minister of economy, said: “Tensions in India-Pakistan relations negatively impact Afghanistan’s economic situation. Afghanistan’s essential goods were imported through the Wagah border, and with increased tensions, this process can undoubtedly cause serious harm to Afghanistan’s imports and exports.” Click here to read…
Mohammad Sadiq: Ignoring Relations with Afghanistan Has Harmed Pakistan-Tolo News
Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq called for improved relations between Kabul and Islamabad. He made the remarks during a regional meeting. Speaking at a session titled “Pak-Afghan Relations under the Shadow of Terrorism,” he warned that ignoring ties with Afghanistan has consistently harmed Pakistan, and urged that Pakistan must engage constructively with the Afghan government and people as soon as possible to achieve positive results. Click here to read…
Pakistan names Missiles ‘Abdali’ and ‘Ghaznavi’ but mistreats people of Afghanistan, says Karzai-The Khaama Press
Karzai criticized Pakistan for naming missiles “Abdali” and “Ghaznavi” while mistreating the people of Afghanistan, especially refugees. Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has criticized Pakistan for naming its ballistic missiles after historic Afghanistan’s figures while allegedly mistreating refugees of Afghanistan within its borders. His remarks came in response to Pakistan’s recent missile test, which featured a projectile named “Abdali.” Click here to read…
Bhutan
Jabchor 2.0 to support startups, boost investmnet – Kuensel
The Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship (DEE) under the Ministry of industry, Commerce, and Employment Launched Jabchor 2.0 on May 2 to support entrepreneurship, fouter Innovation, and attract both incal and international Investments. This newly unveiled platform will serve as a crucial link, connecting local businesses with potential investors to facilitate sustainable growth. Jabchor 2.0 builds upon the foundation of the original Jabchor initiative, which was introduced by the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) in 2018. Over its initial four seasons, managed by the RMA and later the Ghutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), the platform successfully supported 19 entrepreneurs in diverse sectors including green industries, technology, trading, and manufacturing channeling a total of Nu 36 million in funding. Click here to read…
Maldives
Defense Minister Ghassan on military agreements, Indian aircraft and spies – Adhadhu
Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon has refuted President Dr. Mohamed's remarks that all the "worrying aspects" in the military agreements with other countries had been revised. Ghassan appeared in the People's Majlis on May 6. He told MPs that the government was still working to amend the "worrying aspects" in the military agreements. “Those agreements, just as the honourable MP mentioned now, have been and are still being amended in a manner that does not harm the sovereignty and independence of the Maldives," he said. Ghassan said around 100 agreements have been signed between India and the Maldives since 1965, but the Defence Ministry is responsible for only four agreements. At a press conference on May 3, Muizzu told reporters that the most concerning agreement had been cancelled, while "worrying aspects" of the remaining agreements had been solved. Click here to read…
Officers from Nine Countries in Maldives for Maritime Security Training – PSM News
Officers and crew from nine countries have arrived in the Maldives to participate in the Indian Coast Guard's exercise to ensure safety and security in the Indian Ocean. A Maldivian officer and three crew members of the country’s coast guard will take part in the exercise, Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). Commander Kamal Singh Rana said the Indian vessel set sail on 5 April and stopped at four ports before arriving in the Maldives. The commander said naval officers and crew from countries in the Indian Ocean region are undergoing training on the ship which include 12 officers and 32 crew members. Click here to read…
Myanmar
Myanmar junta chief to attend Russia’s WWII victory parade amid strengthening ties with Moscow – Myanmar Now
The leader of Myanmar’s military junta, Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing, has been invited by Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend this year’s annual Victory Day Parade in Moscow, according to a statement released by the regime. The parade, held on May 9, will this year mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany at the end of World War Two. The event is widely used by the Kremlin to project military strength and patriotic fervour. The upcoming trip will be Min Aung Hlaing’s second to Russia so far this year. During a meeting with Putin held at the Kremlin in March, the two leaders praised the growing strategic and economic ties between their sanctioned regimes. At that meeting, the junta chief referred to Putin as a “king” and pledged full support for Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. Click here to read…
Myanmar Junta Extends Quake Truce While Continuing Airstrikes – The Irrawaddy
Myanmar’s regime has extended its earthquake truce until May 31 while continuing airstrikes on resistance territory. The regime stated on Tuesday that it was extending its ceasefire to boost rehabilitation and reconstruction in earthquake-impacted areas to serve the national interest and build peace and stability. Junta airstrikes targeted Hman Lal village in Natogyi Township, Mandalay Region, on May 7, killing a 13-year-old girl and a 54-year-old man and injuring eight others, including an infant and a mother. Anti-regime groups first declared a ceasefire after the March 28 quake, followed by the regime, which it immediately breached with airstrikes and shelling. The civilian National Unity Government said the regime conducted 282 airstrikes across 13 out of Myanmar’s 15 regions and states by May 2, killing 276 people and injuring 456 others. Click here to read…
Pakistan
Pakistan, India NSAs establish contact-The Express Tribune
National Security Advisers of Pakistan and India have established contact with each other after India launched a series of missile strikes inside Pakistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir in the early hours of Wednesday. Pakistan NSA Lt General Asim Malik, who is also DG ISI, spoke to his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval in what seems to be part of efforts to seek de-escalation, according to officials familiar with the development. Click here to read…
Islamabad turns the tables on New Delhi as de-escalation efforts reach fever pitch-Dawn
Pakistan on Wednesday mourned the loss of 31 lives in attacks by Indian forces on civilians, terming New Delhi’s actions “terrorism” and accusing it of continuous ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC). Despite a ramping up of rhetoric from the Indian side, diplomatic channels remained open, as Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed contact between the national security advisers of India and Pakistan, and US President Donald Trump urged both sides to stop the violence. Click here to read…
Pakistan military authorised to strike India ‘at time, place and manner of own choosing’-The Express Tribune
The National Security Committee (NSC) on Wednesday authorised the armed forces of Pakistan to undertake corresponding actions in response to Indian airstrikes that targeted multiple civilian areas. The NSC statement comes in the aftermath of coordinated missile, air and drone strikes launched by the Indian armed forces during the night of May 6–7. The attacks reportedly targeted multiple locations in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Sialkot, Shakargarh, Muridke, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad. Click here to read…
