Articles

Reflections and Roadmap: Maldives’ Journey Through 2024 and Prospects for 2025

Umang Bhansali, Research Assistant, VIF Article

At the outset of 2025, the archipelago nation of Maldives reflects on the previous year, which was defined by remarkable achievements, significant challenges, and pivotal transitions. Spread across 26 atolls, the country is home to a vibrant culture ....

January 22, 2025 Neighbourhood Studies , Maldives , Article , economy , Climate Change , Maritime Security , Tourism , Debt , Maldives China Relations , India Maldives Relations

Neighborhood News Digest - 22 January 2025

Afghanistan

Haqqani Meets UAE President to Discuss Regional Stability-Tolo News

Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Acting Minister of Interior, along with Abdul Haq Wasiq, the Head of Intelligence for the Islamic Emirate, visited....

January 22, 2025 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , economy , Maldives , Iran , Myanmar , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Bangladesh , Tourism , Germany , UAE , Middle East , India-Maldives relations , Haqqani , China-Bangladesh , Maldives-China FTA , Climate Grant , Gwadar International Airport , Scam Centers

Neighborhood News Digest - 20 January 2025

Afghanistan

Trade between Afghanistan and Iran Increased by 84% Last Year-Tolo News

Hossein Roustaei, Iran's trade advisor, stated in an interview with Iranian media that trade between Afghanistan and Iran grew by 84% in 2024 ....

January 20, 2025 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , ASEAN , economy , Maldives , Iran , Myanmar , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Bangladesh , Tourism , UAE , junta , BNP , Sri Lanka-China , China-Bangladesh , National Debt , Kurram , Women Education , Myanmar – Russia , Mullah Abdul Kabir , Sufi

Neighborhood News Digest - 06 January 2025

Afghanistan

Blinken: US Foreign Policy toward Afghanistan Will Not Change-Tolo News

Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, said that the future administration of Donald Trump will not change US foreign policy toward Afghan....

January 06, 2025 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , US , China , economy , Maldives , Myanmar , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , Bhutan , trade , Bangladesh , Tajikistan , Tourism , refugees , UAE , Mining , BNP , Maldives-India relations , GMC , Adani Group , July Proclamation , Guided Missiles , Inward Remittances , PM

Neighborhood News Digest - 03 January 2025

Afghanistan

Pakistan’s Minster: Taliban demanded 10 Billion Rupees to relocate TTP-The Khaama Press

Pakistan’s defense minister claimed that the Taliban requested 10 billion rupees from Pakistan to move members of the Tehr....

January 03, 2025 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , economy , Maldives , Myanmar , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Bangladesh , Tourism , FTA , Durand Line , PTI , TTP , ADB , Drugs , Panjshir , BNP , India-Sri Lanka , China-Maldives , SBP , Economic Prosperity , Myanmar-Indonesia , Chin National Army (CNA)

Neighbourhood News Digest - 6 December 2024

Afghanistan

France condemns latest Taliban-imposed ban on Afghan women – UN Report

France has strongly condemned the Taliban's recent decision to ban Afghan women from working with the United Nations, describing it as a seve....

December 06, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , Nepal , ASEAN , Maldives , Myanmar , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Syria , Bangladesh , European Union , Bangladesh-India relations , EU , Tourism , Nepal-China Relations , India-Bhutan Relations , Awami League , Myanmar Junta , India-Myanmar , Nepal-Bangladesh , Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations , Iranian Human Rights Organization , Bangladesh-US relations , Yungichhu Hydropower Project , Maldivies Exports , Aleppo , Cross-Border Energy Trade , CBET , Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations

Botswana Elections: Beginning of a New Political Era

Dr Shambhavi Anand, Research Assistant, VIF Commentary

On 30 October, 2024, Botswana, the continent’s longest-serving democracy held its presidential elections. The contest for power was fought between the country’s ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) led by President Mokgweetsi Masisi, and the op....

November 27, 2024 International Relations and Diplomacy , Africa , Commentary , India , democracy , economy , PM Modi , Tourism , Food Security , Capacity Building , Botswana Elections

Neighborhood News Digest - 25 November 2024

Afghanistan

Iran's Foreign Minister Appoints Alireza Bigdeli as Ambassador to Kabul-Tolo News

Iran's Foreign Minister has dismissed the ambassador and special representative of the country's president for Afghanistan and appoi....

November 25, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , US , China , economy , Maldives , Iran , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Saudi Arabia , election , Bangladesh , Tourism , IMF , PTI , India-Sri Lanka , China-Bangladesh , Bhutan-India Relations , Kurram , LDC Status , Constitutional Amendment

Neighborhood News Digest- 19 November 2024

Afghanistan

Envoy: China Will Continue Supporting Afghan Peace, Reconstruction-Tolo News

Yue Xiaoyong, China's special representative for Afghanistan, stated in an interview with a Chinese media outlet that neighboring and reg....

November 19, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , economy , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Saudi Arabia , election , Bangladesh , Tourism , Germany , Chinese Envoy , interim Government , Persian Philosopher , Bushra Bibi , Trump’s Cabinet , Maldives.

Neighborhood News Digest- 18 November 2024

Afghanistan

Abbas Stanikzai: Peaceful Afghanistan Benefits Region and World-Tolo News

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that peace in Afghanistan is in the interest of both regional ....

November 18, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , economy , Maldives , Iran , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , election , Bangladesh , Tourism , IMF , Kuala Lumpur , NPP , VPN , Maldivian Economy , interim Government , Deeyar , Council of Islamic Ideology , Credit Ratings.