Neighbourhood News Digest – 07 June 2024

Afghanistan

Putin Emphasizes Need for Inclusive Afghan Government – Tolo News

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his latest remarks, has emphasized the importance of engaging with the Islamic Emirate, while also stressing the need for an inclusive government in Afghanistan. Putin also said that Russia must ensure that agreements at the United Nations level, including the issue of an inclusive government in Afghanistan, are implemented. According to the Russian President, security and stability in Afghanistan are significantly more important than economic opportunities for Russia and Uzbekistan. Click here to read... [2]

US Urges Governments to Adhere to Sanctions on Taliban Officials – Afghanistan International

Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the US State Department, urged countries to adhere to the travel ban on Taliban officials. Miller stated that governments must obtain authorisation for the travel of Taliban officials who are on the United Nations sanctions list and respect this process. He added that the authorisation must be obtained through the travel exemption process as specified in UN Sanctions Committee Resolution 1988, and, it is important for member states to follow this procedure. Click here to read... [3]

Doha Meet Without Afghan Representatives Free Pass To Taliban, Say Women, Political Groups – Afghanistan International

Several anti-Taliban political parties and women’s groups have expressed their concerns about the upcoming third Doha meeting in a joint statement. These groups argue that any dialogue conducted without the main representatives of the Afghan people constitutes a concession to the “terrorist group” Taliban. These political groups emphasised that past experiences from similar dialogues over the past four decades demonstrate that without the legitimate representation of the people’s will and wishes engagement with terrorist entities does not solve the problem and will only exacerbate the crisis. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

Bangladesh PM leaves for New Delhi to Attend Swearing-in Ceremony of Narendra Modi – DD News

On the invitation extended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to his Bangladeshi counterpart, to attend the swearing-in ceremony of his government during a conversation over telephone, on June 5, PM Sheikh Hasina accepted the invitation and leaves for New Delhi. Click here to read... [5]

FM: Budget implementation rate 92-97% in last 15 years – Dhaka Tribune

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, who is also the ruling Awami League’s joint general secretary, has slammed the opposition BNP for criticizing national budgets, noting that the implementation rate of each budget in the last 15 years has been over 90%. Hasan Mahmud was speaking as the chief guest at a reception and felicitation ceremony for former presidents and general secretaries of Chittagong Press Club on the occasion of its 62nd foundation anniversary, held at the Chittagong Press Club. Click here to read... [6]

Bhutan

Prime Minister of Bhutan Congratulates PM Modi – Orissa Diary

Prime Minister of Bhutan Dasho Tshering Tobgay called Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today and congratulated him on the victory of the National Democratic Alliance in the 18th Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Tobgay appreciated Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership in the last decade, and conveyed his warm wishes for his successful third term. India-Bhutan partnership is characterized by utmost trust, goodwill, and mutual understanding at all levels and is reinforced by robust people to people linkages and close economic and development partnership. Click here to read... [7]

Maldives

Environment Ministry and UNICEF launches "Clean" program – Adhadhu

The Environment Ministry and UNICEF have launched the "Clean" program to raise awareness about waste disposal and waste management. Male' city Mayor Adam Azim was the chief guest at the ceremony to launch the program in Hulhumale' on June 5. The program was launched on World Environment Day and aims to in still in children the habit of maintaining a clean environment. The Environment Ministry also launched the national waste management policy for the next five years to mark World Environment Day. Click here to read... [8]

Maldives requests permanent residency for elderly Maldivians in Sri Lanka – Adhadhu

The Maldives government has requested the Sri Lankan government to make arrangements to facilitate permanent residency for elderly Maldivians. The request was made during Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer's ongoing official visit to the neighbouring country. The request was made to Public Security Minister Tiran Alles. Sri Lanka's Public Security Ministry oversees the country's police, immigration and border management. Click here to read... [9]

Myanmar

UN Chief ‘Strongly Condemns’ Myanmar Military Attacks on Civilians - The Irrawaddy

UN chief Antonio Guterres said Thursday he “strongly condemns” recent attacks by Myanmar’s military that reportedly killed scores of civilians in the western state of Rakhine and in Sagaing Region in the country’s north. “The Secretary-General… strongly condemns the recent attacks by the Myanmar military that have reportedly killed scores of civilians, including in Rakhine State,” Guterres’ spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. Click here to read... [10]

Fighting intensifies along Myanmar border with Bangladesh - TBS News

Fighting has intensified along the Myanmar border with Bangladesh in southern Maungdaw Township as the Arakan Army targets border guard police positions to seize the entire township, according to local residents in Myanmar. They report that the ethnic army, having already taken control of northern Maungdaw, is now focusing on the south. Over the past few days, three junta positions have fallen, with two more at Mawyawaddy and Myin Lut on the verge of collapsing, reports The Irrawaddy. Click here to read... [11]

Cambodia still has a stake in Myanmar’s crisis - East Asia Forum

Cambodia is keen to offer help in resolving the Myanmar crisis, in large part because of Hun Sen. The former prime minister’s continued personal involvement in the situation in Myanmar has kept the crisis on Cambodia’s foreign policy agenda. Amid a general sense of fatigue in ASEAN regarding the situation in Myanmar, having a keen constituent like Cambodia pushing for a way out of the crisis is good for the region as a whole. Click here to read... [12]

Nepal

IMF to provide Rs 5.59 billion to Nepal under Extended Credit Facility - My Republica

The mission team of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) met Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun on Thursday. The mission team led by Dr Tidiane Kinda, deputy division chief and mission chief for Nepal under the Asia and Pacific Department at IMF, called on Minister Pun at the ministry in Singha Durbar. During the meeting, it was confirmed that Nepal will receive the fourth installment under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). Click here to read... [13]

Nepal govt recalls 11 ambassadors, including from India - Money Control

Nepal government has recalled ambassadors from 11 countries, including those serving in India and the US and appointed under the Nepali Congress' quota, three months after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' terminated his alliance with the party and joined hands with KP Sharma Oli. Despite strong reservations from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, the government on Thursday recalled these ambassadors, including Nepal's envoy to India Shankar Sharma, The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported. Click here to read... [14]

Nepal's Electric Vehicle Revolution: Clean Energy on the Rise - Devi Discourse

Nepal leverages its abundant hydroelectric power to fuel a burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market, reducing oil imports and curbing air pollution. With nearly all homes connected to the grid, and lesser import duties on EVs, the country witnesses a rapid growth in EV sales and charging infrastructure. Click here to read... [15]

Pakistan

Was Pakistan’s ISI Involved in the Nepal Royal Massacre of 2001 - The Diplomat

On June 1, 2001, a drunk Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah allegedly killed 11 members of the Nepali Royal Family, including his father, King Birendra, before turning the gun on himself. The massacre reportedly followed an argument between Dipendra and his parents, who objected to his plans to marry local aristocrat Devyani Rana. Some observers also believed that the king’s apparent willingness to consider a Maoist proposal to make the Nepali monarchy as ceremonial one in order to end the insurgency infuriated his son, resulting in the mass murder. Click here to read... [16]

Chinese Consul General Zhao Shiren visits Chaudhary Shujaat - Pakistan Observer

Mr. Zhao Shiren praised ChaudharyShujaat Hussain as a seasoned politician and a prominent figure in Pakistan’s politics. He thanked Chaudhary Shujaat for writing a letter to the Prime Minister regarding Chinese security with reference to the bulletproof vehicles. He also expressed gratitude to the governments of Pakistan and Punjab for providing full-proof security to Chinese nationals. The Chinese Consul General said that the current time is the best and the environment is conducive for investment in Punjab. More Chinese companies would be attracted to invest in Punjab. The discussions were also held during the meeting to enhance economic cooperation between Punjab and China. Click here to read... [17]

US Reaffirms Neutrality in Pakistan’s Politics, Focuses on Strengthening Bilateral Relations - ARY News

The United States has reiterated its neutral stance on Pakistan’s internal political dynamics, emphasizing its commitment to fostering bilateral ties with the nation rather than with any specific political party or candidate. This position was articulated by Elizabeth Horst, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, during a meeting with President of World Memon Organization Salman Iqbal, President and CEO of ARY Network. Horst underscored the U.S. government’s desire to maintain strong, multifaceted relations with Pakistan, independent of its political landscape. Click here to read... [18]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka rupee opens stronger at 302.55/65 to US dollar - Economy Next

Sri Lanka’s rupee improved slightly to open at 302.55/65 to the US dollar on Friday in the first half-hour of trading, while bond yields were steady and stocks opened 0.15 percent higher, dealers said. Sri Lanka rupee closed at 302.80/303.10 to the greenback on Thursday. In the secondary market, yields were slightly down, dealers said. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 was quoted down at 9.95/10.00 percent from 9.95/10.05 percent. Click here to read... [19]

Sri Lanka’s envoy lashes out at UN Human Rights High Commissioner's report - Tamil Gaurdian

Responding to a damming report by the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which warned that Sri Lanka’s failures to tackle impunity threatened futher enforced disappearances, Sri Lanka’s envoy to Geneva claimed the report was “biased, politicised, and self-generated”. The report, released a day in advance of the 15th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal genocide, detailed the failures of successive Sri Lankan governments to “tackle structural weaknesses and undertake necessary reform”. Click here to read... [20]

Adani sets record straight on wind power project in Sri Lanka - Daily FT

India’s Adani yesterday issued a statement setting the record straight over multiple concerns raised by various stakeholders regarding its wind power project in Sri Lanka. Yesterday the Daily FT published a report revealing Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) seeking transparency and filing 11 Right to Information (RIT) applications. Click here to read... [21]