Neighborhood News Digest – 13 July 2023

Afghanistan

Afghanistan: Four people publicly flogged by Taliban – The Print

Taliban’s Supreme Court has announced that four people including a woman have been publicly flogged on accusations of committing “immorality” in Kabul’s Paghman district, Khaama Press reported. As per a news release, the people were arrested from Kabul’s Kargha area. The convicts have been sentenced to three months of imprisonment by Taliban officials. Click here to read... [2]

Taliban suspends Sweden aid groups in Afghanistan over Quran burning – AlArabiya News

The Afghan Taliban say they have suspended all the activities of Swedish organizations in the country in response to the recent burning of Islam’s holy book in Stockholm. The announcement left a Swedish non-governmental aid group perplexed about the future of its programs in Afghanistan, which provide education and medical facilities to thousands of people across the country. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

Heart of the Matter: India, US not on the same page in Bangladesh - Free Press Journal

A friendly regime in Dhaka is a top priority for India’s diplomatic and security establishments. Although the whole neighbourhood is important, New Delhi’s stakes are the highest in Bangladesh. But new circumstances are queering the pitch for India in poll-bound Bangladesh and forcing New Delhi to look over its shoulder. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh: Spiraling Violence Against Rohingya Refugees - HRW

Bangladesh authorities are taking inadequate measures to protect Rohingya refugees in camps from surging violence by armed groups and criminal gangs, Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities should assist refugees by establishing accessible systems to report crimes and promptly investigate complaints. Click here to read... [5]

Bhutan

In a first, Japan offers medical scholarships to Bhutan – The Print

In a major collaboration, Japan has offered medical scholarships for Bhutanese students, which will provide them with the opportunity to pursue their dreams of becoming medical professionals, Bhutan Live reported. The Royal Civil Service Commission has signed a memorandum of understanding with the esteemed International Japan’s University of Health Welfare, marking a milestone for Bhutan’s education and healthcare sectors. Click here to read... [6]

Indian potato imports from Bhutan to continue without import license for another year – The Economic Times

The import of potatoes in India from Bhutan will continue without any import license for another year. A similar exemption has also been made for areca nut export. Earlier, the Indian government had given import exemption for potatoes from Bhutan for a year, which ended on June 30. Click here to read... [7]

Maldives

7th Deputy NSA Meeting of Colombo Security Conclave held in Maldives

The 7th Deputy NSA level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) was hosted by the Maldives on 12 July 2023. Member States India, Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka met in the virtual format. Bangladesh and Seychelles participated as Observers, a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs said. Click here to read... [8]

India, Maldives conclude 9 MoUs to strengthen President Solih’s position

India and the Maldives have signed nine new MoUs as part of Phase II of the High Impact Community Development Projects Scheme to contribute to the economic growth and social welfare of the Maldives. The MoUs cover the development of a Volley Court, a Mental Health Unit, a School Digitalization Project, upgrading hospitals and schools, preserving Maldivian culture, and others. The Maldives foreign minister praised the collaboration and partnership between the two countries, describing India as. Click here to read... [9]

Myanmar

Thai diplomat meets with Suu Kyi in detention in Myanmar and says she wants to join talks on crisis - The Hindu

Thailand's top diplomat said on July 12 that he met with ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi in detention over the weekend and she conveyed her openness to engage in talks to resolve the crisis gripping her strife-torn nation. Click here to read... [10]

Chinese-backed power plant in Myanmar shuts down operation -The Economic Times

The combined cycle power plant started operating earlier this year, and the heat sensor system used in the waste heat system was not working properly, so the system was completely stopped, people close to the plant said. Click here to read... [11]

Nepal

Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda’s wife Sita passes away – The Hindu

Sita Dahal, wife of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda”, passed on July 12 after suffering from a rare neurological condition for a long time. She was 69. Click here to read... [12]

Nepal Rejects Chinese Claim Of Airport Built Under Belt And Road Project – NDTV

Nepal Foreign Minister NP Saud on Tuesday rejected the claims of the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal that an airport had been built under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Nepal. FM Saud rejected the claims while addressing the International Relations and Tourism Committee stating the BRI project hasn't been put into action in Nepal. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif hints at timely elections amid talks with IMF for $3-bn loan – Business Today

Sharif's remarks come just a day after his meeting with Pakistan Democratic Movement chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman who stressed the need for the dissolution of assemblies and holding of general elections on time, Dawn reported on Wednesday. Click here to read... [14]

Militants attack army garrison in Pakistan's Balochistan; 4 soldiers killed, 5 others injured – Deccan Herald

Heavily-armed militants attacked an army garrison in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province in the early hours of Wednesday, killing at least four soldiers and wounding five others, the army said. Click here to read... [15]

India supports Pakistan's resolution at UN panel condemning Sweden Quran burning – India Today

Applause broke out in the cavernous chamber of the Human Rights Council on Wednesday after the 28-12 vote on a measure brought by Pakistan and Palestine that was backed by India, China and other countries. Click here to read... [16]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s fishermen face double whammy of climate and economy - Al Jazeera

Babarandage don Sarath Appuham, a 59-year-old fisherman, has worked at Negombo Lagoon since he was a teenager. Palpable differences in tide patterns and fish catches from climate change have complicated his work.
“We used to always go at 9am, then 1pm. It’s no longer that predictable,” Sarath told Al Jazeera. Click here to read... [17]

Sri Lanka's cabinet approves starting talks with Indonesia for PTA - Fibre2Fashion

Sri Lanka’s cabinet recently granted permission to start negotiations with Indonesia for a preferential trade agreement (PTA), ultimately leading to a free trade agreement (FTA). President Ranil Wickremesinghe had sought cabinet approval early this week for the same. Click here to read... [18]