Neighborhood News Digest- 26 April 202

Afghanistan

Three Neighboring Countries Support Daesh: Muttaqi- Tolo News

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Foreign Minister, during the opening ceremony of the Afghan-Kazakh exhibition said that three neighboring countries are supporting Daesh. The acting Foreign Minister did not name any countries; however, he reiterated that Daesh does not exist in Afghanistan. Click here to read… [2]

Over 5,000 Afghan migrants expelled from Pakistan and Iran-The Khaama Press

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations Affairs reports that over 5,000 Afghan migrants returned to the country after expulsion from Pakistan and Iran. The Ministry of Migrants Affairs disclosed the return of migrants from Iran amidst a recent surge in expulsions of Afghan migrants from Iran and particularly Pakistan in recent months. Click here to read… [3]

Nearly 70 Schools, Madrassas in Uruzgan Destroyed by Rains, Floods-Tolo News

Shamsullah Kamran, the head of Education in Uruzgan, reports that recent rains and floods have completely or partially destroyed nearly 70 schools and madrassas (religious schools) in the province's center and districts. Kamran adds that the Uruzgan Education Department lacks sufficient funds to rebuild these schools. Click here to read… [4]

Bangladesh

IMF suggests raising power, gas and fertiliser prices - The Daily Star

The International Monetary Fund yesterday recommended reducing government subsidies by hiking prices of power, gas and fertiliser, and spending the saved money on society safety net programmes. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh won’t benefit from global LNG oversupply – The Daily Star

The global liquefied natural gas supply capacity will increase drastically in future and the prices will stay low, but Bangladesh is not likely to reap the benefit due to fiscal challenges, according to a global report. Click here to read… [6]

What is India’s position on Bangladesh, China military exercise? – Dhaka Tribune

India keeps a “close watch” on all developments that happen in its neighbourhood and beyond, which impact its economic and security interests. Click here to read… [7]

PM Hasina meets Thai royals in Bangkok- Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid a courtesy call on the King and the Queen of the Kingdom of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshan. Click here to read… [8]

Bhutan

Bhutan removes mandatory travel insurance requirement for tourists – The Times of India

Bhutan's Department of Tourism has announced a notable change by removing the compulsory travel insurance requirement for tourists. Initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to cover unforeseen emergencies, especially medical expenses related to the pandemic, this requirement is now being lifted as the situation improves and as part of efforts to make travel experiences smoother. Click here to read… [9]

On 'no man's land' along Bhutan border, residents aspire for sustained peace, security – The Economic Times

Residents of Bhairabkunda, including Kuntimaya from Kokrajhar, emphasize security and amenities. They value peace in Bodoland and the presence of the permanent Sashastra Seema Bal gate for enhanced security measures. Click here to read… [10]

Maldives

Stability in Maldives: On the election results and India ties – The Hindu

There are several important messages from the win by Maldives President Mohammad Muizzu’s party, the PNC, in this week’s parliamentary elections. The results also indicate widespread approval by Maldivians of decisions he has made since he was elected in November 2023 including his international visits to China, Turkey and the UAE, and receiving U.S. senior officials, while keeping a relative distance from India. Mr. Muizzu’s statement that rather than “pro-India” or “pro-China”, he intends to build a “pro-Maldives” policy must be tested against his actions while giving him time to prove that none of those actions is to the detriment of India’s security or regional peace. Click here to read… [11]

Chinese marine research vessel back in Maldives – Adhadhu

Chinese marine research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03 has returned to the Maldives. The ship was docked at the Thilafushi industrial island's harbor this morning. The government has not disclosed the reason for its return. But the government previously confirmed permission for the ship to dock before its first visit. The vessel first arrived on February 22 after spending about a month near the boundary of the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Click here to read… [12]

Myanmar

Bangladesh repatriates Myanmar troops after fighting on border – The Hindu

Bangladesh sent home nearly 300 Myanmar troops and civil servants on Thursday who fled across the border to escape attacks on their outposts near the frontier between the two countries. Myanmar has been roiled in conflict since the military seized power from a democratically elected government in a 2021 coup. Click here to read… [13]

NSA Doval meets Russian, Myanmar counterparts in St Petersburg: Here's what they discussed – The Mint

National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval met his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev on Wednesday. The Indian Embassy in Moscow said the leaders reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and discussed important issues of mutual interest. This was their second meeting this month. Doval held a bilateral meeting with his Myanmar counterpart Admiral Moe Aung and talked about the current situation in Myanmar and India-funded infrastructure projects in Myanmar. "They also discussed recent developments along the India-Myanmar border, including issues related to security, refugees, development projects, etc," the embassy said. Click here to read… [14]

Nepal

Nepali envoy to Italy Subedi presents credentials-The Kathmandu Post

Non-resident Nepali Ambassador to Italy Ram Prasad Subedi on Tuesday presented his letter of credence to Italian President Sergio Mattarella at Quirinale Palace in Rome. The ambassador was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour upon his arrival at the palace, the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN, Geneva said in a statement. Click here to read… [15]

Nepal should have same yardstick for development and economic cooperation with all nations, says Mahat-The Kathmandu Post

Former finance and foreign minister Prakash Sharan Mahat has said that Nepal should adopt a uniform yardstick on development and economic cooperation with all countries including India, China, and the United States. Speaking at a function titled “Reflecting on BRI: Experiences and Lessons from South Asia”, organised by the Centre for Social Innovation and Foreign Policy (CESIF) in the Capital on Thursday, Mahat said that while seeking and accepting foreign development and economic assistance, Nepal should have the same yardstick for all, should keep national interest at the core and should accept foreign loans or grants only after careful negotiation. Click here to read… [16]

Pakistan

Pakistan rejects US human rights report as ‘biased and politicised’-The Express Tribune

Pakistan has outrightly dismissed the 2023 Country Report on human rights practices recently released by the United States State Department. "The contents of the report are unjust, relying on inaccurate information and are disconnected from the realities on the ground," stated the foreign office on Thursday. Click here to read… [17]

Maryam's appearance in police uniform sparks controversy and praise-The Express Tribune

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's appearance as the chief guest at a passing out parade of female police officers at Chung Police Training School, where she donned a police uniform, has sparked a flurry of reactions, both positive and negative, across social media platforms. Click here to read… [18]

No tensions with Pakistan, insists US State Dept-Dawn

The US State Department emphatically declared on Thursday that there’s ‘absolutely no’ undercurrent of discord between the United States and Pakistan, despite recent sanctions imposed on companies allegedly supplying missile components to Islamabad. Meanwhile, the Foreign Office on Thursday dismissed the assessment of Pakistan’s human rights situation in the recently launched US State Department’s Human Rights Report as “unfair and politically motivated” and criticised it for lacking objectivity. Click here to read… [19]

Sri Lanka

Foreign powers intensify surveillance on Presidential elections as strategic interests take centre stage – Daily Mirror

Ahead of the presidential election scheduled for October this year, the foreign powers have ramped up their efforts in the assessment of ground political developments as was in the case of vital elections in the past. Click here to read… [20]

Sri Lanka and China discuss vehicle manufacturing investment – Daily Mirror

A meeting between the China Association of Small and Medium-commercial Enterprises (CASMCE) and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena took place yesterday at Temple Trees, focusing on bilateral cooperation and investment opportunities. Click here to read… [21]

Let’s not get into a ‘Aragalaya’ again: President – Daily Mirror

While highlighting that the economy in on the mend, President Ranil Wickremesinghe pleaded for people not to resort to another ‘Aragalaya’ which would escalate chaos in the country. Click here to read… [22]