Neighbourhood News Digest – 06 June 2024

Afghanistan

Russia Supports Afghanistan's SCO Membership – Tolo News

Zamir Kabulov, Russia's special envoy for Afghanistan, stated that if the Islamic Emirate is recognized, Moscow will support Afghanistan's membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The TASS news agency, quoting Kabulov, reported that if the current government of Afghanistan is recognized, this support from Moscow will be effective. The Islamic Emirate, praising this move by Russia, stated that they expect regional countries to expand political and economic relations with the interim government. Click here to read… [2]

Taliban’s Interior Minister to Meet US Security Officials in UAE – Afghanistan International

Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Minister of Interior, will meet US security officials during his visit to the United Arab Emirates. Two parties are set to discuss their security concerns. On June 5 Sirajuddin Haqqani embarked on his first foreign trip to the UAE and met with the President of the country. It is also expected that the Taliban’s Minister of Interior will discuss important unresolved issues between the Taliban and Washington during his meeting with US officials. Click here to read… [3]

Bangladesh

Bangladesh has learned to face natural calamities: PM – The Daily Star

On June 5, 2024, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stated that Bangladesh has learned to face natural calamities, during a meeting with President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Kate Forbes. Mentioning that Bangladesh is a country of cyclones and floods, Hasina thanked the Red Crescent for its support during these natural calamities. Click here to read… [4]

Modi thanks PM Hasina, pledges to strengthen Dhaka-Delhi ties further – Dhaka Tribune

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina for her warm wishes on his re-election for the third term. Narendra Modi also received a congratulatory telephone call from Sheikh Hasina for the victory of NDA in the 18th Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Hasina was among the first foreign leaders to congratulate the prime minister, reflecting the warmth and personal rapport between the two leaders, the Indian PIB said. Click here to read… [5]

Bhutan

Recruitment of foreign nurses sparks concerns among health workers – Kuensel

As the Royal Civil Service Commission approves the recruitment of foreign nurses, health workers, including doctors and nurses, share concerns about how it will affect the morale of local health workforce. Doctors at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) say the decision will have several repercussions. A doctor said integrating foreign nurses into the Bhutanese system would be challenging. “It will be difficult for them to cope with our system, and familiarising them with how things are done at the national hospital might be challenging,” he said. Click here to read… [6]

Maldives

Maldives and EU Hold Fifth Senior Officials Meeting in Malé – The Maldives Journal

The Fifth Senior Officials Meeting between the Maldives and the European Union (EU) was held on June 2, 2024, in Malé, Maldives. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening and deepening their cooperation rooted in shared values and the principles of the UN Charter and international law. During the meeting, the EU congratulated the Maldives on the successful organization of major elections, including the Presidential Elections in September 2023 and the Parliamentary elections in April 2024. The Maldives expressed gratitude for the EU’s Election Observation Mission and discussed implementing its recommendations to strengthen the electoral process. Click here to read… [7]

Debt declines as percentage of GDP as economy grows – Adhadhu

The Maldives' debt has declined as a percentage of GDP after the accumulation of debt fell below economic growth since the last quarter of 2023. According to a quarterly bulletin published by the Finance Ministry, public debt stood at 110.1 percent of GDP. As the figure was 116 percent of GDP in last year's final quarter, this was a decline of 6.4 percent. As debt declined, the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew from 107.2 to 114.6. This means that the economy grew significantly in the first quarter of this year compared to the last quarter of 2023. Click here to read… [8]

Myanmar

Anwar calls for end to violence in Myanmar, adherence to Five-Point Consensus

Malaysia has reiterated its calls for an end to the ongoing violence and political marginalisation in Myanmar, urging adherence to the Five-Point Consensus. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Asean is facing a significant challenge with the crisis in Myanmar, given the scale of death, displacement, and fighting. "This message Asean should convey must come from a unified voice. Failure to act when there is ample cause to believe that a member state is violating the spirit of the Asean Charter is a dereliction of our moral duty. Click here to read… [9]

Myanmar's civil war drives up drug production - Dhaka Tribune

Myanmar is producing and exporting more illicit drugs as an ongoing civil war between the ruling military junta and armed ethnic rebels batters the agriculture-based economy. Myanmar has been in crisis since February 2021 when the military ousted the country’s democratically elected government in a coup that sparked mass protests, and eventually an armed insurgency. According to a report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Myanmar’s opium fields grew by 18% to a total of 47,100 hectares in 2023. Click here to read… [10]

Myanmar Junta Launches Crackdown on Gold, Currency Traders - The Diplomat

Myanmar’s junta has launched a crackdown on illegal gold and foreign currency traders in a bid to stabilize the kyat currency, which fell to an all-time low late last month. According to a Reuters report that cited the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar, the junta authorities had arrested 14 people “for their involvement in destabilizing the foreign exchange market in the country.” Click here to read… [11]

NUG President Calls for International Action to Stop Myanmar Junta Killing - The Irrawaddy

Myanmar needs international action instead of ineffective sanctions and condemnations to stop junta killings, according to the civilian president, Duwa Lashi La. He spoke to the National Unity Government’s cabinet on Tuesday after six junta massacres since early May in which almost 170 civilians were killed and many others injured. Anti-regime forces were complying with the military code of conduct but the regime neglected any procedures, the civilian president said. “Just sanctions and condemnations are no longer enough,” said Duwa Lashi La. Click here to read… [12]

Nepal

China’s new Nepal game: Trap Kathmandu with oil and gas exploration bid

Nepal, which earlier hesitated to completely pivot towards China because of several economic and geopolitical factors, seems to have tilted heavily towards its big northern neighbor, giving it an opportunity to further increase its footprint in the Himalayan country’s political, economic, and social space. Yet what concerns Nepal watchers the most is the Himalayan nation’s move to give China a much-needed break to enter an area which was so far virgin—oil and gas exploration. Click here to read… [13]

Nepal’s First Faith Plan For The Environment Launched - India Education Diary

The Nepal Buddhists’ Faith Plan for Environment 2024–2034 was launched today marking the World Environment Day. The first ever Faith Plan from Nepal aims to mobilize Buddha’s teachings to save the environment and all sentient beings and looks towards a future where humans live in harmony with nature. The 10 Year Faith Plan was launched by the Nepal Buddhist Federation, Buddhist leaders of Nepal and the Country Representative of WWF Nepal, Dr. Ghana Shyam Gurung in the presence of nearly 300 participants including mostly Buddhist leaders. Click here to read… [14]

Prime Minister of Nepal Marks Milestone in Arun-3 Hydro Electric Project for Clean Energy and Regional Development - Solar Quarter

Prime Minister of Nepal, Shri Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, marked a significant milestone by triggering the last blast for the completion of the 11.8 km Head Race Tunnel of the 900 MW Arun-3 Hydro Electric Project in Sankhuwasabha District. This project, managed by SJVN Arun-3 Power Development Company Pvt. Ltd. (SAPDC), a subsidiary of SJVN, is a collaborative effort between SJVN and the Government of Nepal, aimed at enhancing regional energy security and economic development through sustainable hydropower in the Arun River Basin. Click here to read… [15]

British Embassy celebrates centenary of 1924 Everest Expedition - Himalayan Times

To mark the 100th anniversary of the 1924 Everest Expedition, the British Embassy hosted an event highlighting the historical ties between Nepal and the UK in tourism and mountaineering, on Wednesday.The Embassy featured a photo exhibition titled "The Fight for Everest 1924," which was initially displayed at the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) last week alongside the documentary "Everest Revisited." The collection is set to be permanently displayed at the International Mountain Museum (IMM) in Pokhara. Click here to read… [16]

Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ To Travel To India To Attend The Swearing-In Ceremony Of PM Narendra Modi - Orissa Diary

Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to travel to India to attend the swearing-in ceremony of PM Narendra Modi. Earlier, both leaders held a telephonic conversation. In 2019, then PM KP Sharma Oli had attended Modi’s swearing-in ceremony. Click here to read… [17]

Pakistan

Government reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to renewable energy, rejects solar panel tax reports - Arab News

Minister of State for Power Ali Pervaiz Malik reiterated the government’s commitment to pursue renewable energy projects in a brief video message on Wednesday while categorically denying any decision to impose duty or tax on solar panels. Malik’s statement came as local media outlets reported that the administration in Islamabad had decided to amend the net metering regulations to impose new tariffs on the sale and purchase of solar energy produced by users. These reports also claimed the government was planning to impose a fixed tax on those who have installed solar panels. Click here to read… [18]

Pakistan, Denmark, Greece, Panama and Somalia are set to get seats on the UN Security Council - Live Mint

Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia were set to get seats on the UN Security Council in a secret ballot Thursday in the General Assembly. The 193-member world body is scheduled to vote to elect five countries to serve two-year terms on the council. The 10 non-permanent seats on the 15-member council are allotted to regional groups who usually select their candidates but sometimes can't agree on one. There are no such surprises this year. Click here to read… [19]

Pakistan, China sign 32 agreements in ‘historic moment’ - Business Recorder

During the current visit of the prime minister of Pakistan to China, the promotion of business activities between the two countries were reviewed in detail and Federal Minister for Board of Investment Abdul Aleem Khan and Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan held meetings with CEOs of major Chinese companies. Click here to read… [20]

Sri Lanka

Cyclone Remal hits Sri Lanka, affects thousands and kills over 30 people - WSWS

Stormy monsoon rains have hit Sri Lanka over the past week, triggering floods and landslides, impacting tens of thousands of families and killing at least 30 people. State authorities have issued further warnings about ongoing rain across the island and fishermen have been advised not to sail until further notice. Click here to read… [21]

Modi Set For Third Term: Bangladesh PM, Sri Lanka President, Other World Leaders Invited For Oath-Taking - Outlook India

India is likely to invite leaders of a number of its neighbouring countries, including Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, to the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the weekend, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. Modi is all set to take charge as the prime minister for a historic third consecutive term with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) winning 293 seats in the Lok Sabha polls. The people cited above said top leaders of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and Mauritius are likely to be among the foreign leaders to be invited for Modi's oath-taking ceremony. Click here to read… [22]

Concluding debt restructuring sooner than later critical for SL: Katsuki - Daily Mirror

Japan, Sri Lanka’s biggest bilateral lender after China, yesterday stressed the island nation must speed up in its debt restructuring efforts for its own betterment. Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts in debt restructuring is falling behind schedule and with an upcoming International Monetary Fund review, Japan’s Deputy Head of Mission Kotaro Katsuki highlighted the importance of accelerating momentum. Click here to read… [23]