Neighborhood News Digest – 03 November 2023

Afghanistan

Afghan refugees forced to leave Pakistan say they have nothing - BBC

Pakistan has started to arrest Afghans as the country begins a nationwide crackdown on foreign nationals it says are in the country illegally. Thousands of Afghans in Pakistan have made their way back to Afghanistan in the last two months. But many of them, who have called Pakistan home for decades, say they have nothing to go back to, while others say they are terrified to be heading back to the Taliban government. Click here to read... [2]

Bangladesh

Bangladesh: Opposition workers, supporters set vehicles ablaze amid violence - WIO News

In Bangladesh, violent protests have entered the third day as supporters of the opposition BNP stepped up their demand for Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina to resign and make way for a neutral caretaker government to conduct the elections as the blockade by the opposition continues. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh’s election commission talks with parties: Structured to fall through - Asia News Network

The Election Commission’s move to hold dialogue over preparations for the upcoming general election appears doomed to fall flat, as the BNP and its allies won’t take part in it, and the issue of polls-time government remains unresolved, say political analysts. They believe the talks, scheduled for tomorrow, with 44 political parties in a single day are nothing but “eyewash”, as the participants will get only a few minutes to discuss the electoral and political issues and make their recommendations. Click here to read... [4]

Bhutan

Bhutan King arrives on week-long visit today, 1st stop Assam - Indian Express

Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is coming to India on a week-long official visit, accompanied by senior officials of his government, on Friday. During the visit, which will conclude on November 10, he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other senior officials, as per a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday. Click here to read... [5]

Maldives

Maldivian economy projected to grow 5.5 percent in 2024- Raajje

Ministry of Finance has stated that the Maldivian economy is projected to see a growth of 5.5 percent in 2024. The Finance Ministry stated this in the 2024 state budget submitted to the People's Majlis. As such, the Ministry notes that this is the first time that the Maldivian economic growth is slower than the long-run average trend since 2020. Finance Ministry noted that the tourism, transport and communications sectors are expected to contribute the most to the country's economy in the coming year as well. However, the number of tourist arrivals from European countries is projected to be lower than in previous years, as tourist arrivals from European countries are not projected to increase during 2024 to the same level as in the past two years. Click here to read... [6]

Maldives imposes ₹2.27 crore fine on detained T.N. fishing boat- The Hindu

The Maldivian government has slapped a fine of ₹2.27 crore on a mechanised boat from Tharvaikulam in Thoothukudi district. The vessel was detained recently by the Maldivian Coast Guard for entering the island nation’s waters illegally. On October 1, the boat belonging to Antony Jayabalan set sail with 12 fishermen from Tharuvaikulam Fish Landing Centre. On October 22, it drifted into Maldives’ waters due to inclement weather. The Coast Guard of Maldives detained the boat along with the 12 fishermen and their fish consignment. Mr. Jayabalan appeared before them on October 29. Two officials from the Indian High Commission also attended the hearing as observers. Click here to read... [7]

Myanmar

International Condemnations of Myanmar’s Junta Must Translate into Actions to End Military Impunity The Diplomat

Debris and decay are all that remains of the Mung Lai Hkyet camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Laiza, Kachin State, after an attack that left dozens of people dead on October 9. Just before midnight, the Myanmar military bombed the temporary shelter where survivors of violence in their villages had sought temporary relief. As refugees slept, artillery shells were fired into the camp, killing 17 women and 12 men. At least 11 children – five boys and six girls from infancy to 18 years old – were reported among the casualties. Witnesses said the assault came at a time when there was no fighting. Unprovoked, after the first blast, at least four more bombings followed. Human Rights Watch declared the incident an “apparent war crime.” Click here to read... [8]

Myanmar military will hit back at ethnic armed groups' offensive, says junta chief - First Post

Myanmar’s junta chief said the military will strike back at ethnic armed groups waging an offensive in the north of the country, seizing towns and blocking trade routes to China, state media reported Friday. Fighting has raged for a week across a wide swathe of Shan state in what analysts say is the biggest military challenge to the junta since it seized power in 2021. Click here to read... [9]

Nepal

Government Of Nepal And World Bank Sign And Exchange Agreements For $100M Concessional Loan And $3.84M Grant To Strengthen Nepal’s Health System - India Education Diary

The Government of Nepal and the World Bank today exchanged the digitally-signed financing agreements for a $100 million concessional loan from the International Development Association and a $3.84 million grant from the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Trust Fund to strengthen the quality, coverage, and resilience of Nepal’s health system. These agreements were digitally signed on October 27, 2023. This is the first World Bank-financed project in Nepal that was digitally signed. Click here to read... [10]

Nepal's Former PM: BRI turns Nepal's dream of connectivity into a reality - ECNS

“We have learned that win-win cooperation is the sure way to success in launching major initiatives that benefit all. When countries embrace cooperation and act in concert, a deep chasm can be turned into a thoroughfare, land-locked countries can become land-linked, and a place of underdevelopment can be transformed into a land of prosperity.” On Oct. 18, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Click here to read... [11]

Pakistan

Pakistan Prez announces change in general elections date from Feb 11 to Feb 8 - Deccan Herald

Pakistan's general elections will be held on February 8, it was announced on Thursday after the election commission officials met President Arif Alvi at the directives of the Supreme Court, ending uncertainty over the much-awaited polls in the cash-strapped country. Click here to read... [12]

Sri Lanka

China secures another strategic investment in Sri Lanka- Daily Mirror

China’s Sinopec is to make an initial investment of US$1.5 billion, the single largest foreign direct investment (FDI), in building a refinery in Hambantota once the agreement is finalized within the next two weeks, a top source said. It remained a foregone conclusion in political circles that the company would be awarded the project, though the government says it is open to any company participating in the competitive bidding process. Previously, Colombo Port City, another Chinese investment, remained the largest FDI project in Sri Lanka. The source said Sinopec will make further investments later in other related developments of the refinery. Click here to read... [13]

NAAM 200: India gives another 10,000 Houses to Indian-origin Tamils– News First

India has decided to provide another 10,000 houses to Sri Lanka's estate community, announced Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 2 November. Indian Minister Sitharaman was speaking at the event to mark ‘Naam 200’ (We are 200), an event held under the theme, ‘In the tapestry of Sri Lanka’s cultural diversity, the Indian Tamil community has woven a unique thread over two centuries. The project was launched at the Mount Vernon estate in Kotagala, and the audience was given the opportunity to witness the groundbreaking moment. Click here to read... [14]

India To Work Closely with Sri Lanka on Debt Restructuring: Union Minister- NDTV

Indian FM on her three-day visit to Sri Lanka, assured that India will continue to work very closely with the island nation on debt restructuring discussions and extend support for the economic recovery. Speaking at the 'NAAM 200' organised by the Government of Sri Lanka to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the arrival of India-Origin Tamils (IOTs), Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India rendered unprecedented financial assistance of over USD 4 billion last year when the island nation faced the financial crisis. In July this year, during the visit of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to India, PM Modi announced a special grant package of SLR 3 billion (INR 75 crore) for multi-faceted projects for the IOT community. Click here to read... [15]