Neighborhood News Digest – 10 November 2023

Afghanistan

Over 50,000 Refugees Returned Through Spin Boldak in 9 Days – Tolo News

In the past 9 days, more than 50,000 Afghan refugees have returned to the country through Spin Boldak, Kandahar. A number of refugees deported from Pakistan complain about the inappropriate treatment of the Pakistani military. They say that now that they have returned to the country, there is a need for the caretaker government to address their challenges. Click here to read… [2]

Iran, Tajikistan Continue to Call for Inclusive Govt in Afghanistan – Tolo News

Iran and Tajikistan once again called for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that the two nations seek the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan that includes all ethnic groups and religions, during a joint news conference with President Imam Ali Rahman of Tajikistan. Speaking at the conference, Raisi accused America of destruction, murder, slaughter and backwardness in Afghanistan. Click here to read… [3]

Bangladesh

As in 1971, India should support democracy in Bangladesh: senior Bangladesh National Party leader- The Hindu

Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, top leader of the Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), stated that India should extend unambiguous support to the democratic aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. Click here to read… [4]

More protests in Bangladesh as garment workers reject pay increase- Reuters

Hundreds of garment workers in Bangladesh clashed with police for a second day on November 9, as they protested against a government-mandated pay rise, forcing the closure of nearly 40 factories in the world's second-largest clothing exporter. The protesters, who want twice the increase offered by the government, threw stones at police and vandalised several factories in the garment hub of Gazipur, on the outskirts of the capital. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh elections likely to be a focus area of talks at India-US 2+2 meeting: The New Indian Express

Bangladesh is likely to be one of the focus areas of talks between India and US at the ministerial 2+2 meet on November 10. The US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has flown to Delhi, ahead of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s arrival. The US has been reiterating that there should be free and fair elections in Bangladesh, which is in debt due to loans it has to repay to China under its Belt and Road Initiative. Click here to read… [6]

Bhutan

NCHM scrambles for funds as Thorthormi threatens to burst – Kuensel

Thorthormi Lake and its surroundings remain vulnerable to flooding after the avalanche that made the lake flood on October 30, National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) officials said. As an immediate measure after the study of the Thorthormi Lake, the centre has strengthened monitoring at the source from once a week to three times a week. Thanza Automatic Water Level Sensor (AWLS) monitoring frequency has increased and damaged AWLS, installed in 2011, was repaired and is expected to last until April next year. Click here to read… [7]

Anand Mahindra's calls meeting with Bhutan’s King ‘energising’, shares pic – India Today

In a recent post that has garnered significant attention, business tycoon Anand Mahindra met with Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The meeting, described by Mahindra as "energising," was shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Click here to read… [8]

Maldives

PM Modi Invited for Maldives President's Oath-Ceremony- NDTV

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated that India has received an invitation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Maldives president-elect Mohamed Muizzu. However, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that it will be notified in the coming days, that who will be representing India at the occasion. Click here to read… [9]

No concern on India funded projects in Maldives: EXIM Bk’s Deputy MD- ET Infra

N. Ramesh, Deputy Managing Director at EXIM Bank of India, stated that “We believe the decisions will be very rational and we are supporting (the) country’s development. I am very optimistic on support to be continued in the current fashion. So, at this point of time, I don't have any specific concern to mention as such.” India is engaged in the development of airports at Hanimaadhoo and Gan Island, development of an island connectivity project called Greater Male Connectivity Project, as well as development of Gulhifalhu Port, among others in Maldives. Click here to read… [10]

Myanmar

Myanmar president: country at risk of breaking apart due to clashes- Reuters

Myanmar President Myint Swe stated at a high-level meeting that “If the government does not effectively manage the incidents happening in the border region, the country will be split into various parts”. An assistant Chinese foreign minister, Nong Rong, called on Myanmar during a visit last week to cooperate with China to maintain border stability. He also asked for measures to protect Chinese interests. Click here to read… [11]

The Dwindling Prospects for Russian and Chinese-Backed Infrastructure Projects in Myanmar- The Diplomat

Growing political turbulence, especially in the northern part of Shan State, has drastically narrowed the chances of progress on a host of large-scale projects by China and Russia. Click here to read… [12]

Nepal

Indo-Nepal border forces decide to tighten security – The New Indian Express

In a step to bolster security efforts along the borders, India and Nepal on Thursday agreed to strengthen coordination and collaboration between Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Nepal’s Armed Police Force (APF). “The two sides emphasized curbing trans-border crimes, smuggling of arms and ammunition as well as combating human trafficking across the open and unfenced border,” said the SSB public relations officer. Click here to read… [13]

India Delivers Third Consignment Of Emergency Relief Materials To People Of Nepal To Support Quake Victims – OrissaDiary

Supply of Earthquake Relief Materials to the Government of Nepal Acting on the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the third tranche of over 12 tonnes of earthquake relief support comprising of blankets, sleeping bags, tents and essential medical supplies, etc. reached Nepal on 9 November 2023 via a special Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130 flight. Click here to read… [14]

North Korea to shut its diplomatic mission in Nepal, North Korean Mission in India to take-over Nepal’s affairs – The Print

North Korea has decided to shut down its diplomatic mission in Nepal, and the North Korean Mission in India will look over Nepal’s affairs, according to a communique to the Nepali Prime Minister. Ambassador of the Communist Regime to Nepal, Jo Yong Man in his meeting with the Nepali Prime Minister earlier this week informed the Nepali Premier about the closure of its diplomatic mission. Click here to read… [15]

Pakistan

Govt, IMF agree on backup steps in review talks – Dawn

The caretaker government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached a consensus on backup measures to activate by the year’s end if significant deviations from fiscal and monetary objectives threaten the broader aims of the ongoing $3 billion loan programme. Informed sources told Dawn that a visiting mission of the IMF and the Pakistani authorities would be concluding technical-level discussions on Friday that involve an exchange of the latest data, not only limited to the end-September quarterly performance, and queries and clarifications on all macroeconomic areas and their forward-looking outcomes. Click here to read… [16]

Key Lashkar operative killed by unidentified men in Pakistan: Report – Hindustan Times

Ghazi's killing is the third assassination of a top Lashkar operative and the sixth killing of a top commander operating from across the border this year. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Akram Khan Ghazi was gunned down by unidentified bike-borne men in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to media reports. Pakistan agencies are looking into the role of local rivals as well as in-fighting within LeT to probe Ghazi's killing, reported Times of India. Click here to read… [17]

Why people in Pakistan are unable to get new passports – Firstpost

Zain Ijaz, a resident of Pakistan, had long dreamt of studying in the United Kingdom. When he finally secured admission to a university in the UK, it seemed like his dream was within reach. But, an extraordinary delay in getting his passport now threatens to shatter his dreams. Many people, including Ijaz, are having great difficulty obtaining new passports as the country is running low of lamination papers, which they buy from France. The government has a backlog of around lakhs of unprinted passports, putting Pakistanis’ ambitions to travel abroad for study, job, or vacation in peril. Click here to read… [18]

Nawaz to contest polls after ‘clean chit’ from courts – Dawn

PML-N sup­remo Nawaz Sharif will contest in general elections as the party expects his legal troubles to go away within two months. Talking to reporters on Thursday, PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah said Mr Sharif would not wait for by-polls to contest the elections and expressed hope that cases against him would be decided before the Feb 8 elections. Click here to read… [19]

Sri Lanka

The Fifth National Youth Parliament’s Fourth Session at the Presidential Secretariat– News.lk

The Fifth National Youth Parliament’s fourth session, organized by the National Youth Service Council, took place successfully on October 28 and 29, 2023, at the historic Parliament Chamber within the Presidential Secretariat. The revolved around “Youth Proposals for the 2024 Budget,” and “The Role of Sri Lankan Youth in the Face of Climate Change”. Click here to read… [20]

Sri Lanka: US hopeful of a Presidential Poll next year? - News First

Julie Chung, the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, believes presidential elections will be held in the island nation in 2024. She said that timely elections are important to any democracy, and that is why there will be a presidential election next year. Click here to read… [21]

US funding deepwater container terminal in Colombo- The Island

The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced it had committed more than half a billion dollars to support the development of a deep-water shipping container terminal in the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka, that will provide critical infrastructure for the South Asian region. The new terminal reflects DFC’s commitment to financing high-quality infrastructure that supports its partner’s development needs, invests in local communities, and is respectful of local financial conditions. Click here to read… [22]