Neighborhood News Digest- 17 May 2024

Afghanistan

"Taliban No Enemy" | Russia, China Warn US-NATO Over Afghanistan Plans, Putin Slams AUKUS in Xi Meet – News18

Russia and China have warned the US against setting up military infrastructure in Afghanistan on Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to Beijing. The US and NATO should refrain from trying to set up military infrastructure in Afghanistan again, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping warned. Click here to read... [2]

Clashes Increase between Islamic Emirate, Pakistani Forces in Dand-e-Patan – Tolo News

Residents of Paktia said that there have been clashes between the forces of the Islamic Emirate and Pakistan’s border guards for the past three days. Click here to read... [3]

Oslo Meeting on Afghanistan Concludes – Tolo News

The Oslo meeting, focused on Afghanistan, which started three days ago with the participation of representatives from over 30 countries and organizations in Norway, has concluded. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

Next budget will be challenging than previous years: Debapriya - The Daily Star

Preparing national budget for the next fiscal year will be more challenging than any previous years as the Bangladesh economy is passing through a tough time and the geopolitical developments are influencing the economy. Click here to read... [5]

Australia PM congratulates Hasina on reelection – The Daily Star

Congratulating Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her reelection, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he looks forward to working with PM Hasina to strengthen their bilateral relationship and together contribute to regional peace, prosperity and security. Click here to read... [6]

Hasan: UNHCR may involve India, China more in Rohingya repatriation – Dhaka Tribune

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has said the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR may involve India and China more in the process of commencing Rohingya repatriation from Bangladesh to their land of origin, Myanmar. Click here to read... [7]

Bhutan

Agriculture sector to allow 100 percent FDI – Kuensel

The government has declared 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the agriculture sector. Full FDI in the sector aims to boost the production of six key commodities, namely mandarin, quinoa, rainbow trout, black pepper, asparagus, and strawberry. This is a significant increase from the previous limit of 74 percent FDI. The announcement was made at the inaugural session of Bhutan Agrifood Trade and Investment Forum (BATIF) 2024. Click here to read... [8]

Maldives

China: No intention to debt trap Maldives – Sun International

Former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed during an interview with Sri Lankan media outlet ‘The Morning’, claimed China was ‘debt trapping’ the Maldives, and added the island nation has weakened by distancing itself from India. Ambassador Wang strongly rebutted Nasheed’s allegations during a press conference held by the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives on May 16. In this regard, Ambassador Wang inquired whether the people of the Maldives believe the remarks made by Nasheed, posing the question as to whether any Maldivian government is foolish enough to put the nation to debt. Click here to read... [9]

Saudi Fund extends two loans, including the airport extension project– The Edition

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has extended two loans to the government of Maldives, on May 16. The first is an additional USD 100 million (MVR 1.5 billion) loan for the Velana International Airport (VIA) terminal expansion project. They have also issued a USD 50 million (MVR 770 million) loan to develop the Maldives' health sector. SFD had earlier in October informed the Maldives government that they will be granting these loans. The loans amount to a total of USD 150 million (MVR 2.3 billion). Click here to read... [10]

Myanmar

Myanmar Junta, Indian Air Force Brass Meet Amid Regime’s Aerial Campaign of Terror - The Irrawaddy

Junta air force chief Tun Aung and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Intelligence) Air Vice Marshal Ichettira Iyappa Kuttappa met in Naypyitaw on Wednesday amid the junta’s increased air attacks on civilians in Myanmar. The two discussed progress in cooperation between the two militaries, sending of junta trainees to India, cementing ties between the two air forces, and technical cooperation, junta media said. Click here to read... [11]

MNDAA Accused of Forcibly Recruiting Myanmar Migrants, Killing Deserters- The Irrawaddy

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has been accused of forcibly recruiting migrant workers to fight on the front line in Shan State and using deadly violence to punish those who refuse. Around 1,000 migrant workers were reportedly sent to the front line after returning to Laukkai following the MNDAA’s successful battle for the Shan town. Click here to read... [12]

Chin Tensions High as Myanmar Junta Blockades Border Town- The Irrawaddy

Chin anti-regime forces are being blocked in the Chin State town of Tonzang by Myanmar’s junta and its allied Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA). Residents say junta troops are preventing them from leaving Tonzang, which has around 1,000 households and a largely Zomi population. Click here to read... [13]

Nepal

Nepal PM to Take Test of Strength for Fourth Time Amid Oppn Protest in Parliament - Latestly

Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda will seek his fourth vote of confidence on Monday amid ongoing disruption and chaos in parliament, officials said. Click here to read... [14]

Nepal bans sale of Everest, MDH spices over safety concerns - India Today

After Singapore and Hong Kong, Nepal has banned the consumption and sale of spices produced by Everest and MDH amid concerns over traces of harmful chemicals in the products. Nepal's Department of Food Technology and Quality Control has started testing the spices from the two Indian brands for ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing pesticide, ANI reported. Click here to read... [15]

NATTA Gandaki Province Chapter to promote Nepali tourism in Chinese cities - My Republica

The Gandaki Province chapter of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) has decided to conduct tourism promotion programmes in various cities of China for a week. NATTA's Gandaki Province Chair Hari Ram Adhikari informed at a press meet that a program 'Pokhara-Nepal tourism promotion and sales mission in China' would be organized in various cities. A 16-member team left for China on Thursday for the same. Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan

Anticlimactic adjournment as NAB laws hearing featuring Imran ends without him speaking – Dawn

A Supreme Court hearing on Thursday on a case about changes in the accountability laws turned out anticlimactic as ex-premier Imran Khan appeared via video link but did not get a chance to speak as a petitioner in the matter. Click here to read... [17]

Chinese urged to set up labour intensive industry in Pakistan – Dawn

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday the government under its economic reforms agenda offers attractive incentives for investment and asked the Chinese entrepreneurs to take advantage of the friendly policies and set up labour intensive industry in Pakistan. Click here to read... [18]

Even Pakistan is acknowledging India's rise as powerful nation: Rajnath Singh – Hindustan Times

Pointing to recent statements by Pakistani leaders praising India, Union defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that, even the neighbouring nation, which has never spoken favourably about India, is now acknowledging its growth as a powerful country. Click here to read... [19]

Sri Lanka

SLPP ready for any election: MR – Daily Mirror

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is ready to face any election, whether it is a general election or the Presidential election, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today. Click here to read... [20]

14 Sri Lankan fishermen arrested by Indian Navy – Daily Mirror

The Indian Navy has arrested 14 Sri Lankan fishermen along with five boats for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and for fishing sea cucumber on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Click here to read... [21]

'Maldives issue with India helping us': Sri Lanka tourism minister on boost in Indian travellers amidst Maldives boycott calls – Business Today

Sri Lanka's Tourism Minister, Harin Fernando, has pointed out the positive impact of calls for Indian travellers to boycott the Maldives on Sri Lanka's travel industry. Fernando expressed that the ongoing situation in the Maldives has inadvertently benefited Sri Lanka's tourism sector, speaking to CNBC on Thursday. Click here to read... [22]