Neighborhood News Digest- 26 March 2024

Afghanistan

Pakistani Delegation Arrives in Kabul-Tolo News

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) said that a delegation headed by Pakistan's Federal Secretary of Commerce, officially invited by the ministry, arrived in Kabul on Monday. Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, the Commerce and Industry spokesman, said that during their two-day visit, the delegation will meet and discuss with the acting minister of Industry and Commerce to consolidate, expand, and address commercial and transit challenges. Click here to read… [2]

Taliban orders Hizb-e-Islami leader to vacate home and office-The Khama Press

According to media reports, Taliban forces have reportedly surrounded the house of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of Hizb-e-Islami, in Kabul. It has been said that the controversy revolves around the land of Hekmatyar’s house; according to the Taliban, it belongs to the Ministry of Defense of Afghanistan. Click here to read… [3]

Bangladesh

President, PM, Bhutanese king pay homage to Liberation War martyrs-The Daily Star

President Mohammed Shahabuddin, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck have paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War. They paid their homage by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar this morning, marking Independence and National Day. Click here to read… [4]

Xi Jinping highlights importance of Beijing-Dhaka relations-Dhaka tribune

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Bangladesh’s Independence Day, emphasized that he attaches great importance to the development of Beijing-Dhaka relations. In a congratulatory message on the occasion of March 26, he said he stands ready to work with President Mohammed Shahabuddin “to further advance high-quality Belt and Road Cooperation and deepen China-Bangladesh strategic partnership of cooperation.” Click here to read… [5]

Bhutan

PM Modi concludes two-day state visit to Bhutan; cements bilateral ties-The Indian Express

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday concluded a fruitful two-day state visit to Bhutan during which he assured Thimphu of New Delhi’s firm support in its quest for development and agreed to provide Rs 10,000 crore to the Himalayan nation over the next five years. Click here to read… [6]

His Majesty’s visit to Bangladesh-Kuensel

His Majesty the King is in Bangladesh on a State Visit, accompanied by Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen and Their Royal Highnesses Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck, and Gyalsem Sonam Yangden Wangchuck, on the invitation of the President of Bangladesh, Mohammed Shahabuddin. Click here to read… [7]

Maldives

Indian Coastguard boarded Maldives' vessels through 'miscommunication': Ghassan - the Edition

Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon has stated in Parliament today that the official justification provided by the Government of India in response to Maldivian government officially requesting for clarification about the Indian coastguard entering the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in violation of international maritime laws and boarding three fishing vessel is that the events were a result of 'miscommunication'. Click here to read… [8]

Muizzu Under Bigger Loan From China, But Only Asking India For Relief? Maldives Ex-President's Claim - Hindustan Times

Former Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih criticised his successor, Mohamed Muizzu, amid strain in ties with India. He advised Muizzu, considered pro-China, to "stop being stubborn" and "fix relations with India," a day after the Maldivian president sought a loan waiver from New Delhi. Solih said that the Maldives has a debt of MVR 18 billion owed to China compared to MVR 8 billion owed to India, with the repayment period being 25 years. Click here to read… [9]

UN Expert encourages Maldives' efforts to promote inclusive governance and development - The Edition

Independent UN expert on equality and democracy, Livingstone Sewanyana has concluded a 10-day visit to Maldives last week and commended Maldives for its notable efforts to diversify the economy as well as measures on social cohesion and security. Click here to read… [10]

Myanmar

Blasts, gunshots suggests resumption of fighting between Myanmar junta and rebel army- Asia News Network

Following a week of calm, gunshots and mortar shell explosions were heard from across the Naf river, suggesting the resumption of fighting between the Myanmar junta and rebel Arakan Army in Rakhine state. Locals in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar said gunfighting near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border lasted five hours until 3:00am today and could be heard in Kharankhali, Naya Bazar, Mina Bazar, Kanjor Para, Jimmkhali, Unchiprang, and Lambabil areas of Whykong union, reports our Cox’s Bazar staff correspondent. Click here to read… [11]

Chinese scammers in Myanmar move trafficking victims to casino in rebel territory - RFA

Chinese fraud gangs in eastern Myanmar’s Kayin state are moving the foreign trafficking victims they use to run their operations away from a town on the Thai border to a casino in an ethnic rebel-controlled enclave amid rumors of a coming crackdown by authorities, according to casino workers. Click here to read… [12]

Thai Red Cross Society hands over humanitarian assistance for the people of Myanmar in Tak Province - Pattaya Mail

The handover ceremony of humanitarian assistance for the people of Myanmar between the Thai and Myanmar Red Cross Societies was held on the Thai side of the 2nd Thailand – Myanmar Friendship Bridge, Mae Sot, Tak Province, Thailand on 25 March 2024. The Thai Red Cross District Branch of Mae Sot handed over 4,000 relief bags, carrying rice, dried food, and other essentials for about 20,000 people to Chairman of Myanmar Red Cross Society, Myawaddy District. Click here to read… [13]

Nepal

DPM Shrestha meets senior Chinese leaders - Kathmandu Post

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, who is on a nine-day visit to China, reached Beijing on Monday and started meetings with top leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Shrestha, who is also the vice chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre), held talks with Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and discussed a wide range of issues, said the Nepali Embassy in Beijing. Click here to read… [14]

Nepal: Political Uncertainties – Analysis - Eurasia Review

On March 13, 2024, ending political uncertainty, Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire, amidst cheers from the ruling coalition members announced, “The Prime Minister has won the vote of confidence.” Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda received 157 votes in his favour in the 275-member House of Representatives (HoR). Among those who voted for Dahal were 75 lawmakers from the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML), 32 from the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre (CPN-Maoist Center), 21 from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), 12 from the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), 10 from the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Socialist (CPN-Unified Socialist), four from the Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP), one (each) from the Aam Janata Party (AJP), and independent lawmakers Amaresh Kumar Singh and Yogendra Mandal. Click here to read… [15]

Pakistan

FC soldier martyred, 4 terrorists killed as security forces thwart attack on naval base in Turbat: ISPR- Dawn

A Balochistan Frontier Corps soldier was martyred while four terrorists were killed as security forces thwarted a late-night attack on a naval base in Turbat, the military’s media affairs wing said on Tuesday. In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that terrorists attempted to attack PNS Siddique in Turbat last night. It said that the attempt was foiled due to the “swift and effective response by the troops ensuring the safety and security of personnel and assets”. Click here to read… [16]

Islamabad to seek US waiver for Iran pipeline-Dawn

The newly elected governm¬ent has decided to seek exemption from potential US sanctions against Pak¬istani entities to be inv¬olved in the construction of Pak-Iran gas pipeline. “We will seek exemption from US sanctions. Pakistan cannot afford sanctions in the gas pipeline project,” Minister for Petroleum Dr Musadik Malik told journalists during an informal chat on Monday evening. Click here to read… [17]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka reduces policy rates by 50 bps to boost growth - MSN

Sri Lanka's central bank lowered interest rates by 50 basis points in an unexpected move on Tuesday as it focused on boosting growth prospects to steer the island nation out of its worst financial crisis in decades. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) reduced the Standing Deposit Facility Rate to 8.50% and the Standing Lending Facility Rate to 9.50%, it said in a statement. Click here to read… [18]

Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Silva fortifies Sri Lanka-Kenya bonds - Island.lk

In response to an invitation extended by Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Francis Ogolla, Sri Lanka’s Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva is visting Kenya. Upon his arrival at the Defence Headquarters in Nairobi, General Silva was accorded a grand reception by the Kenyan defence forces. Click here to read… [19]

Indonesia and Sri Lanka discuss military training - Colombo Gazette

Indonesian Ambassador Dewi Gustina Tobing paid a courtesy visit to Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne, Monday, at the Defence Headquarters Complex, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte. Following a warm reception, the Defence Secretary held a cordial discussion with the envoy and conveyed his regards to the government of Indonesia for its eagerness to foster closer relations, particularly in defence cooperation with Sri Lanka. Click here to read… [20]