Neighborhood News Digest- 07 May 2024

Afghanistan

OIC Calls for Inclusive Govt, Human Rights Protection in Afghanistan-Tolo News

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation in its final statement of its 15th session of the Islamic State Conference asked for the establishment of an inclusive government, respect for human rights and support of the people in Afghanistan. Combating terrorism, combating narcotics, and respecting the rights of ethnic minorities are other issues of this 34-article statement that the Islamic Emirate has been asked to observe. Click here to read… [2]

Tehran to Fence 'Vulnerable Areas' on the Afghanistan Border-Tolo News

Tehran has once again emphasized border fencing along the Iran-Afghanistan border. Sardar Qasem Rezaei, the Deputy Police Chief of Iran, stated that only vulnerable points along the Iran-Afghanistan border will be fenced. The Islamic Emirate welcomed the border closure by Iran and stated that this will be coordinated with Afghanistan. Click here to read… [3]

Islamic Emirate to Attend Russia-Islamic World Forum in Kazan-Tolo News

Scheduled for the fifteenth of May, a significant global gathering titled the "Russia-Islamic World: Kazan Forum" is set to take place in Kazan. Representatives from diverse nations have been extended invitations to attend this event, with the agenda prominently featuring discussions on Afghanistan. Dmitry Zhirnov, Russia's ambassador to Kabul, invited the representative of the Islamic Emirate to this international meeting in Kazan during a meeting with Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the political deputy of the Prime Ministry. Click here to read… [4]

Over 23 million in Afghanistan require humanitarian aid-The Khaama Press

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says that 23.7 million people urgently need humanitarian assistance in 2024. The agency stated on Sunday, May 5th, that despite reduced violence, people in Afghanistan still require significant humanitarian aid. According to the organization’s announcement, of the 23.7 million individuals in need of humanitarian assistance, 5.9 million are women, and 5.4 million are men. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

5 UZ polls officials held for holding ‘secret meeting’ - The Daily Star

Six people, including five presiding officers, were arrested in Sirajganj last night over holding a "secret meeting" with some supporters of an upazila chairman candidate. Click here to read… [6]

Fear and uncertainty in refugee camps over RSO-ARA coercion – Dhaka Tribune

The messages pouring in from the Rohingya camps paint a grim picture of fear and uncertainty. Young refugees, frightened by the coercive tactics of the Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) and Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO), express their distress. echoing the anxiety within the community. Click here to read… [7]

UK Indo-Pacific Minister visits Bangladesh to strengthen bilateral ties – Dhaka tribune

UK-Bangladesh cooperation is set to increase on priority areas including migration, economic reform, and security, as Minister for the Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan will arrive in Bangladesh Tuesday on a two-day visit. Click here to read… [8]

Bhutan

Asia’s rising temperature threatens Bhutan’s glaciers- ANN

In the face of changing climate and weather patterns, lack of disaster risk knowledge, observations and forecasting, dissemination and communication, and preparedness to respond are the major challenges facing Bhutan and the world. Click here to read… [9]

Why a Surge in Chinese Construction in Bhutan Is Threatening India – WSJ

New satellite images reveal a rapid expansion in Chinese settlements inside neighboring Bhutan. WSJ examines how China's land grab in the tiny Himalayan state challenges Beijing’s regional rival, India. Click here to read… [10]

Maldives

Agreements with India can be disclosed to the Parliament: Govt – Adhadhu

President's Office Spokesperson Heena Waleed has said that the agreements with India can be disclosed to the Parliament due to the nature of the agreements. The current ruling party had previously expressed concern over some of the agreements signed with India by the former government of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) from 2018 to 2023. Click here to read… [11]

51 Indian soldiers repatriated, total number announcement after Friday – Sun International

The Maldives government on May 6, revealed it has repatriated 51 Indian soldiers back home. Both India and the Maldives have agreed to deport all Indian soldiers before May 10 this week. The Chief Spokesperson of the President's Office Heena Waleed, in responses to media questions regarding the issue said on Monday, that a total of 51 Indian soldiers have been repatriated so far. Click here to read… [12]

Myanmar

Humanitarian crisis will have regional fallout - Hindustan Times

In a surprising move taken a few days ago, Myanmar military junta announced that it has put Daw Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest, removing her from prison due to extreme weather conditions. While the announcement is yet to be verified, its timing amidst heavy losses incurred by the Tatmadaw’s (Myanmar armed forces) at the hands of the armed ethnic rebel groups demonstrates just how vulnerable junta has become over past three years. As the country slips into a state of civil war, with virtually no active international action to stop the conflict, it runs the risk of turning into a wider regional crisis with wider and deeper ramifications particularly for its neighbours – India, China, and Thailand. Click here to read… [13]

Military Conscription in Southeastern Myanmar Demands International Intervention - The Diplomat

On February 10, Myanmar’s military junta announced it would mandate conscription for the first time since the People’s Military Service Law was passed in 2010. Under the law, all men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 are eligible to serve in the armed forces for at least two years. The forced conscription order has sent shockwaves across the country and caused widespread fear among young people, whose futures remain increasingly uncertain amid the ongoing conflict. Fighting has escalated in recent months, leading to unprecedented junta losses in several parts of the country. Additionally, the resistance gains have led to increased military defections nationwide. Click here to read… [14]

On Myanmar, India needs a rethink - Indian Express

Last week, Myanmar’s army claimed success in retaking Myawaddy, a critical node in the bustling trade route with its eastern neighbour, Thailand. The anti-government coalition of the ethnic armed groups and the pro-democracy fighters had created a flutter in the region by entering Myawaddy in mid-April and ousting the troops from the army base there. The real winner in the see-saw battle now appears to be the notorious Border Guard Force (BGF) in the region, formally aligned with the military government in Yangon, but with great autonomy on the ground. Click here to read… [15]

Nepal

"They Took Some Unilateral Measures...": S Jaishankar On New Nepal 100 Rupee Note - NDTV

Contesting Nepal's decision to introduce a new ₹ 100 currency note featuring disputed Indian territories, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that New Delhi's position is very clear adding that Kathmandu unilaterally took some measures on their side. He also said that while both countries were having talks on boundary matters, by doing something unilaterally, Nepal is not going to change the on-ground reality. Click here to read… [16]

Nepal asks Russia for safe return of its citizens recruited in Russian Army - The Print

Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha on Monday claimed that the government has made all efforts for the rescue and repatriation of Nepalese nationals working in the Russia-Ukraine war. Speaking at a meeting of the Federalism Consolidation and National Concerns Committee, Shrestha, who is also the Foreign Minister, said talks are being held with the Russian government on issues such as the number of Nepalis working in the Russian Army, information on their status, repatriation of the bodies of the deceased, compensation to be provided to the families of the victims and safe return of the Nepalis recruited in the Russian Army. Click here to read… [17]

Nepal faces widespread internet outages over India payment dispute - The Hindu

Internet providers in Nepal warned Friday the Himalayan republic was facing widespread outages because of payments owed to Indian companies, a day after service disruptions that affected millions of people. Several private internet companies saw their customers forced offline on Thursday night when their upstream partners in neighbouring India cut connections citing non-payment, the Internet Service Providers Association of Nepal (ISPAN) said. Click here to read… [18]

Pakistan

PTI holds first huddle since polls to devise plans for May 9-Dawn

PTI leaders held the first major huddle since the February 8 general elections to devise a strategy for May 9 to observe the first anniversary of widespread riots that had broken out across the country following the arrest of party’s founder Imran Khan. Speaking at a press conference, the Senate opposition leader, Shibli Faraz, said party leaders from across the country attended the meeting, which discussed strategies for reorganising the party. Click here to read… [19]

Govt voices concern after SC’s verdict on PTI-SIC reserved seats-The Express Tribune

The federal government on Monday expressed concerns regarding a Supreme Court order that suspended the allocation of reserved seats to other parties by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). A three-judge bench, led by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, granted leave to appeal and adjourned the matter till June 3. The bench unanimously suspended the ECP's decision for the re-allocation of reserved seats to other political parties. Click here to read… [20]

Saudi crown prince likely to visit Pakistan this month-The Express Tribune

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to travel to Pakistan this month on a visit that Islamabad hopes will pave the way for much-needed investment from Riyadh. The visit of the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia is long overdue, as the last time he travelled to Pakistan was in February 2019. In late 2022, the Saudi crown prince was scheduled to visit Islamabad, but the visit had to be cancelled since the dates were close to the change of army command. Click here to read… [21]

Sri Lanka

UK’s Indo-Pacific Regional Director meets Anura Kumara – Daily Mirror

Indo-Pacific Regional Director of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Ben Mellor met NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the JVP Head Office this afternoon. Click here to read… [22]

Indian envoy underscores India's special relationship with Sri Lanka's Eastern Province – The Hindu

The Eastern Province holds special significance in connectivity initiatives between India and Sri Lanka, Indian envoy Santosh Jha has said, as he visited the three districts in the province to take stock of several India-assisted projects. Click here to read… [23]

Entry for 7 Countries until May 2024 – TLA

The “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, Sri Lanka, has extended its visa-free policy for travellers from seven countries! Citizens of India, China, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan can now enjoy visa-free entry to Sri Lanka until May 31, 2024. Click here to read… [24]