Neighbourhood News Digest - 31 May 2023

Afghanistan

India strengthens soft power in Afghanistan, sidelining Pakistan: Report - ANI

India is strengthening its soft power in Afghanistan by providing critical aid through Iran, thereby side-lining a once essential Pakistan, reported Nikkei Asia. A spokesperson of the United Nations World Food Programme recently informed that an Indian donation of 20,000 metric tonnes of wheat is scheduled to arrive in Afghanistan in the coming months. Click here to read... [2]

India-Taliban relations: A careful balancing act, driven by pragmatism - MEI

An ongoing power struggle for the position of ambassador at the Afghan embassy in New Delhi underlines India’s diplomatic quandary about the nature of its engagement with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not issued any public statement regarding the dispute between representatives of the previous Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban’s Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan over who should occupy the post, but reports suggest India has conveyed to both sides that they need to settle their internal issue on their own. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

Bangladesh should plan for energy security, not just electricity access - IEEFA

More than a decade ago, in 2009, policymakers of Bangladesh's energy and power sectors had an obligation to quickly shore up installed power generation capacity to propel the growing economy. Thirteen years later, Bangladesh has attained 100% electricity access, ensuring power security. But as the geopolitical crisis drives international fossil fuel prices higher, 100% electricity access alone is not enough. Click here to read... [4]

Nothing to fear over new US visa policy – Daily Star

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas yesterday said there is nothing to fear about the new US visa policy announced for Bangladesh recently as it is meant to encourage behaviours for free and fair elections. He made the comments to the journalists after a photo exhibition held at EMK Centre on the 50 years of US-Bangladesh bilateral relationship. Click here to read... [5]

Call to unite to get fair share of water from India – New Age

Politicians and academics on Tuesday at a discussion meeting urged all opposition political parties to raise their voice for getting a fair share of water from 54 common rivers between Bangladesh and India. Bhashani Onusari Parishad organised the discussion meeting at the National Press Club to mark the 47th anniversary of Farakka Long March Day. Click here to read... [6]

Bhutan

GNH study shows alarming gender disparity in literacy - Kuensel

A recent Gross National Happiness (GNH) survey discovered alarming gender disparities in literacy, with females experiencing greater deprivation than males. Literacy and schooling emerged as significant areas of concern within education, a domain under GNH including seven other domains. The comprehensive study included 33 indicators, shedding light on the current barriers that different subgroups face in accessing equitable quality education. Click here to read... [7]

Govt. wants RMA to look into loan deferment and interest accrual – Kuensel

The government intends to approach the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) to reconsider the reclassification of the business sector in terms of loan deferment and the payment of accumulated interest under monetary measures. On May 26, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering stated this intention at the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s monthly public-private meeting. Click here to read... [8]

Bridging the info-gap in agriculture – Kuensel

In an attempt to harness geospatial information systems for agricultural monitoring and farming system officials from various organisations attended a five-day training that ended on May 26. Some 35 officials from government agencies, institutes and other organizations – involved in agriculture and environmental management – attended the training on “Remote Sensing for Rice Monitoring and Agro-Ecological Zone Mapping” at the Centre for Climate and Sustainable Futures in Paro. Click here to read... [9]

Maldives

Months before presidential polls, crucial political developments in Maldives - Indian Express

With presidential polls in the Maldives scheduled for September this year, significant developments have taken place in the country’s politics. These elections, which some observers say will be among the most critical and contentious the nation has seen, will have ramifications not just for its immediate neighbours, but also for geopolitics in the Indian Ocean region. Click here to read... [10]

Cabinet approves proposed deals between Maldives and Sri Lanka - Colombo Gazette

The Cabinet has approved two proposed agreements between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, including one in the field of health. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, proposed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maldives on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters. Click here to read... [11]

Myanmar

Manipur Unrest: Stolen Weapons Likely Supplied to Myanmar-Based Militant Groups, Fear Central Agencies - News 18

As Manipur reels under ethnic unrest due to clashes between Meitei and Kuki tribes, and incidents of loot and arson reported in the last few weeks, the central agencies and local administration fear that some of the stolen weapons have been likely supplied to Myanmar-based banned militant groups. Top sources have confirmed that the administration expects at least 4,000 weapons to be missing but the quantity of ammunition has not been figured out. Click here to read... [12]

Amit Shah to visit India-Myanmar border town of Moreh in Manipur, review security measures - Telegraph India

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will on Wednesday morning visit the India-Myanmar border town of Moreh in Manipur's Tengnoupal district where he will meet Kuki civil society groups, besides reviewing the security measures in place, Army sources said. Shah, who flew into Imphal on Monday night, will visit Kangpokpi district in the afternoon, and will meet various groups there as well, they said. Click here to read... [13]

Myanmar coup: The soldiers refusing to fight - BBC

The Myanmar military is suffering defections from its forces and is finding it hard to recruit. In exclusive interviews, newly-defected soldiers tell the BBC that the junta, who seized power in a coup two years ago, is struggling to suppress the armed pro-democracy uprising. "No-one wants to join the military. People hate their cruelty and unjust practices," says Nay Aung. The first time he tried to leave his base he was badly beaten with a rifle butt and called a "traitor".Click here to read... [14]

Adani Ports fourth-quarter profit takes hit from Myanmar port sale - Reuters

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSE.NS), part of the Adani Group, said on Tuesday that losses stemming from the sale of Myanmar port project impacted its fourth-quarter profit. India's largest private port operator reported a 5.1% rise in net profit at 11.59 billion rupees from a year ago, while its revenue from operations surged nearly 40%.Click here to read... [15]

Nepal

Nepal PM Prachanda's 4-Day Official Visit To India Begins Today – NDTV

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka 'Prachanda' is all set to visit India on Wednesday on a 4-day official visit, the Ministry of External Affairs informed. Dahal, who assumed office in December last year, will visit India from May 31-June 3 at the invitation of his Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the visit, the Nepalese PM will also call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar. Click here to read... [16]

Nepal unveils Rs1.75 trillion financial plan for fiscal 2023-24 – The Kathmandu Post

Nepal's economy has run into money problems for the first time in nearly six decades, and the coalition government is struggling to fix them. The country was officially in a recession until the second quarter of the current fiscal year, with the annual economic growth rate projected to slow down to 1.86 percent as a result. Click here to read... [17]

For top-level talks to succeed, bilateral dialogue mechanisms should be strengthened, says Nepalese expert – The Hindu

The upcoming visit by the Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” has raised hope of a major breakthrough in India’s neighbourhood, but a leading analyst said the visit was not preceded by required meetings of the bilateral mechanisms that were created to lay the grounds for top level engagements. Mr. Prachanda is scheduled to arrive here on Wednesday for a four-day visit during which the two sides are expected to sign agreements on water and energy projects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral official discussions with Mr. Prachanda on Thursday at the Hyderabad House. Click here to read... [18]

Outrage against fake Bhutanese refugee scam in Nepal – ORF

People in Nepal have taken to the streets against the fake Bhutanese refugee scam. In this scam, 875 Nepalese citizens were swindled out of millions of rupees by a group of racketeers, including top officials of the government and even former ministers, on the false promise of taking them to the United States (US) as Bhutanese refugees. This level of corruption has outraged the society. Click here to read... [19]

Climate change to blame for up to 17 deaths on Mount Everest, experts say – The Guardian

Experts say this is likely to be one of the deadliest years on record on Mount Everest, with variable weather caused by climate change being blamed as one of the main reasons for the deaths of up to 17 people. A total of 12 people have now been confirmed dead during Everest expeditions this season and another five are missing, presumed dead, as no contact has been made for at least five days in all cases, according to the Himalayan Database, which tracks mountain fatalities. Click here to read... [20]

Pakistan

Pakistan: Imran Khan will be tried in military court for ‘planning, executing’ May 9 violence, says Sanaullah – Firstpost

The ongoing crisis in Pakistan seems to be never-ending with the country’s Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan will be tried in a military court for the events of May 9 violence. The development comes amid a government crackdown on Khan’s opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and its supporters over the violent demonstrations that followed Khan’s arrest earlier this month in Islamabad. Click here to read... [21]

Terrorist attacks put Pakistan’s bid to import energy from Iran in jeopardy – The Print

Pakistan’s attempt to solve a debilitating foreign exchange deficit by purchasing energy from Iran could be in jeopardy as a terrorist attack close to their border has cast doubt on future accords, reported Nikkei Asia. Five Iranian border guards were killed in a clash on May 21 in Saravan, a town in Iran close to the Pakistan border. Click here to read... [22]

Pakistan, Russia launch direct shipping service – EastMojo

Pakistan and Russia have launched for the first time a direct shipping service in a bid to increase trade, economic and energy ties between the two nations. After an inauguration ceremony on Saturday in Karachi, a ship carrying 36,000 tons of goods left the Karachi port for St Petersburg. A tanker carrying Russian crude oil is expected to reach Karachi from St Petersburg later this week. Click here to read... [23]

British Army chief on five-day visit to Pakistan – The Economic Times

The British Army’s chief of the general staff General Sir Patrick Sanders arrived in Pakistan on a five-day visit on Monday, underlying decades strong connections between the two institutions. India has been of the opinion that this partnership has been detrimental to its security interests in the region. The UK High Commission in Islamabad said the visit was part of a long-standing military cooperation agreement between the two countries. Click here to read... [24]

Resolve political disputes in line with 'Constitution', IMF tells Pakistan - Business Standard

In an unusual move, the IMF on Tuesday urged Pakistan to resolve its political disputes in line with the “Constitution and rule of law.” The remarks by IMF Mission Chief to Pakistan Nathan Porter came after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif contacted the chief of the Washington-based lender to revive the much-awaited $6.5 billion bailout package in a last-ditch effort to avoid a possible default. Cash-strapped Pakistan and the IMF have failed to reach a staff-level agreement on the much-needed $1.1 billion bailout package aimed at preventing the country from going bankrupt. Click here to read... [25]

Sri Lanka

India extends USD 1 bn credit line to Sri Lanka for another year – Financial Express

India on Tuesday extended its under-utilised USD 1 billion credit line to Sri Lanka for another year to help the island nation hit hard by an unprecedented economic crisis procure much-needed food, medicine and other essential items.An agreement was signed between the State Bank of India (SBI) and the Sri Lankan government for USD 1 billion credit facility in March last year. India extended the credit line to Sri Lanka at the height of the country’s economic crisis. Click here to read... [26]

China assures to always stand for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and socioeconomic development – Colombo Page

Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sun Weidong said Sri Lanka is a longtime friend of China and his country will always stand by Sri Lanka’s sovereignty as well as for political independence and socioeconomic development. He stated this when he called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees today (May 30). The Vice Minister assured that China will increase investments in several areas such as agriculture, trade and commerce, ports and infrastructure development in Sri Lanka. He also said China will continue to provide economic assistance as well as support Sri Lanka’s debt-restructuring program. Click here to read... [27]

Govt. to get tough on those speaking against religions – Daily Mirror

In the wake of the recent derogatory and inflammatory statements made by certain individuals against Buddhism and other religions, the Government is mulling enacting stronger laws to ensure that religious harmony is properly safeguarded and upheld in the country. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Minister said, “The existing laws in Sri Lanka are not adequate to prevent damage against religious harmony, and thus, new laws need to be enacted.” “We as the Government must ensure that religious harmony and peace prevails in the country. In addition, we should also prevent any statement being made leading to communal conflicts or violence,” the Minister said. Click here to read... [28]