Neighbourhood News Digest - 08 January 2024

Afghanistan

Pakistan Delegation Led by Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman Arrives in Kabul-Tolo News

After meeting with the Pakistani delegation headed by Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, the leader of Pakistan's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Foreign Minister, said that they will discuss with this delegation about issues of interest to both sides, including economic and security issues. Click here to read... [2]

Supreme Leader Orders All Laws to be Sharia-Based: Ministry-Tolo News

The supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate has ordered that Afghanistan’s laws be based on Sharia law and Islamic Jurisprudence, said the Ministry of Justice. Click here to read... [3]

ISIS claims responsibility for attack on civilians in Kabul-The Khama Press

According to reports, ISIS-Khurasan has claimed responsibility for the attack on civilians at the “Qala-e-Nazir Station” west of Kabul, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to 14 others. Click here to read... [4]

UN Signs three agreements with Islamic Development Bank to address Afghan humanitarian crisis- The Khama Press

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced that it has signed three agreements with the Islamic Development Bank to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

AL helps itself to fourth straight win-The Daily Star

As predicted, Awami League has won a record fourth straight term in an election that saw the second lowest voter turnout since the restoration of democracy in 1991. The turnout was 27.15 percent at 3:00 pm, but after voting closed at 4:00 pm, the Election Commission estimated the final tally could stand at around 40 percent, a 13 percent jump in an hour. Click here to read... [6]

CEC: Voter turnout 40% across Bangladesh – Dhaka Tribune

The Election Commission has said 40% of votes were cast across Bangladesh during the 12th national elections on Sunday. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal disclosed the information at a polls briefing held at the Agargaon Election Commission (EC) building. Click here to read... [7]

National polls: China congratulates PM for Awami League's victory – Dhaka Tribune

Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday at the official residence Ganabhaban and congratulated her for the election victory. Ambassador Yao congratulated Sheikh Hasina for the successful holding of the 12th National Parliamentary Election and the winning of the Awami League, the embassy said. Click here to read... [8]

JP slumps to its worst showing- The Daily Star

The Jatiya Party suffered a debacle in yesterday's national polls as it won only 11 seats, sources at the party chairman's office said. This is the party's worst polls results since the restoration of democracy in the country in 1991 following the fall of late president HM Ershad. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan

BTP expects victory with growing support base – Kuensel

The Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) is confident about securing a minimum of 32 seats, owing to the growing support from followers of other political parties. To form a government, the party needs to secure a minimum of 24 constituencies out of the total 47. The party reports a daily increase in its support base, with coordinators and supporters from other parties joining the BTP. Click here to read... [10]

Economic woes, instead of ‘happiness’, set the stage as Bhutan goes to the polls – The Hindu

With the two parties contesting the election in the Himalayan nation committed to a constitutionally enshrined philosophy of a govt. that measures its success by ‘well-being of the people’, serious economic challenges such as unemployment are calling into question policy of happiness of growth Click here to read... [11]

Maldives

Maldives suspends three Deputy Ministers as India raises issue of disrespectful remarks against PM– The Hindu

The Indian High Commission in Maldives on January 7 “strongly raised” the issue of disrespectful remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi made by a few members of the government of President Mohamed Muizzu. The Maldivian government suspended three Deputy Ministers who are at the centre of the controversy which erupted just a day before Mr. Muizzu is scheduled to depart for his first trip to China. The issue started after three Deputy Ministers in the Ministry of Youth Affairs — Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid — made disparaging remarks about India and Mr. Modi after the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Lakshadweep. Click here to read... [12]

“For Them To Decide Where They Go": India On Maldives President's China Visit– NDTV

The president of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, will pay a state visit to China from Jan. 8 to 12, the Chinese foreign ministry said in statement on January 5, in what would be a high-profile snub to the island nation's huge neighbour India. Multiple calls by Reuters to the Foreign Ministry and President's Office in Male on January 5 - the weekend in the Maldives - to confirm the president's trip went unanswered. “It is for them to decide where they go and how they go about their international relations," Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, adding that he had no update on the removal of Indian military personnel from the islands. Click here to read... [13]

Maldives President embarks on China state visit amid diplomatic row with India- Hindustan Times

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu departed for China on January 7, for his first bilateral visit since being elected to office, marking the beginning of a state visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The trip comes against the backdrop of a diplomatic row with India, the Maldives' closest neighbour and a significant source of tourism. President Muizzu, who gained power riding his 'Out India' campaign, suspended three deputy ministers following derogatory comments posted on social media platform X, in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promotion of India's Lakshadweep archipelago for tourism. Click here to read... [14]

Myanmar

Manipur Violence: Gunfight Erupts Between Militants, Security Forces In India-Myanmar Border Town Moreh - Outlook India

A fresh gunfight broke out between security forces and militants in Manipur's Moreh town along the India-Myanmar border on Sunday night, police said. According to the officials, the gunfight was initiated by the hills-based militants who launched the attack on state police forces who retaliated. Click here to read... [15]

Myanmar Airstrikes Kill 17 Civilians in Sagaing Region - One India

Airstrikes conducted by Myanmar's military on a village controlled by pro-democracy resistance forces in the country's northwest have resulted in the deaths of at least 17 civilians, including nine children, according to local residents and a human rights group. Click here to read... [16]

China pushes for expediting SEZ in Myanmar's Bay of Bengal zone - Economic Times

China is pushing to expedite construction of its stalled Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in western Myanmar’s Rakhine state aimed at ensuring smoother access to the Bay of Bengal. The initiative could potentially cast a shadow over India’s strategic interests in the region where it has been a traditional net security provider even as a belligerent Beijing has been seeking a foothold. Click here to read... [17]

Nepal

Glimpses: EAM Jaishankar concludes his 2-day Nepal visit, meets top Nepalese leadership - Economic Times

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar concluded his Nepal visit on January 05. He shared glimpses of his 2-day visit to the country. Commencing on January 4, EAM Jaishankar embarked on his first visit of 2024, initiating discussions with Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel in Kathmandu. Click here to read... [18]

India Pledges $75 Million For Nepal’s Earthquake Recovery - HW News

On Friday, EAM S Jaishankar announced India’s plans to provide a financial assistance package ₹1,000 crore or $75 million to Nepal. The package comes in aid for rebuilding infrastructure damaged by an earthquake that hit western Nepal in November 2023. This package additionally included reconstruction projects for 25 schools, 32 health projects and a cultural heritage project. Click here to read... [19]

Nepal halts permits for its citizens to serve in Russian army after 10 killed in Ukraine war - NY Post

Nepal stopped issuing permissions for its citizens to work in Russia Friday after 10 Nepali soldiers were killed while serving in the war in Ukraine. Nepal also formally asked Russia not to recruit its citizens into the Russian army and to compensate the families of those killed in combat in Ukraine. Click here to read... [20]

Pakistan

Thousands of mourners in Islamabad attend funeral for Pakistani cleric gunned down in broad daylight – The Hindu

Thousands of mourners attended a funeral Saturday for a Pakistani Sunni Muslim cleric gunned down in broad daylight on the outskirts of the capital, Islamabad, police and and a spokesman for the cleric's organisation said. Click here to read... [21]

The Baloch Protest: Why We March – The Diplomat

Since November 23, the restive southwestern Balochistan province in Pakistan has been protesting the custodial killing of 24-year-old Balaach Mula Bakhsh, who was forcibly disappeared from his home on October 29. The counterterrorism police presented him in court on November 21 in Turbat, his hometown, and he was killed between the nights of November 22 and 23. Click here to read... [22]

Pakistan Senate passes resolution to delay general election scheduled for Feb 8 – India Today

Senator Khan said that most areas of the country were currently experiencing harsh cold weather, so participation in elections in those areas was unmanageable. Raising concerns about the security situation, he said the law and order situation was not good and added that politicians were being targeted, including an attack on Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman. Click here to read... [23]

Pakistan steps up surveillance in Arabian Sea – Dawn

Pakistan has stepped up naval and aerial surveillance of the Arabian Sea in a bid to protect traffic in international shipping lanes, the navy said on Sunday. Pakistan Navy said it had deployed its ships in wake of the recent maritime security incidents in the Arabian Sea. Click here to read... [24]

Sri Lanka

In Tamil-dominated Jaffna, President Wickremesinghe pushes for land connectivity between Sri Lanka and India – Deccan Herald

President Wickremesinghe has highlighted his desire to create land connectivity between Mannar and south India and has already discussed the idea to build a bridge with Prime Minister Modi, said the President's office. Click here to read... [25]

IMF team expected in Colombo next week – Daily Mirror Online

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) would evaluate Sri Lanka’s economic progress next week, with a team of officials expected to arrive in the country, the Finance Ministry said. The visit will be the first for the year 2024. Click here to read... [26]