Neighborhood News Digest- 12 July 2024

Afghanistan

Russia, India State Confidence in Afghanistan's Fight against Terrorism-Tolo News

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have issued a joint statement following an official meeting in Moscow, describing the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan as comprehensive and effective. Russian media outlets, publishing the statement, reported that Putin and Modi referred to the current Afghan government as an independent state during their discussions on the situation in Afghanistan. Click here to read... [2]

Residency of Registered Afghans in Pakistan Extended 1 Year-Tolo News

Pakistan has extended the residence cards of registered Afghan refugees or those with Proof of Registration (POR) cards, until June 30, 2025. Some Pakistani media outlets have reported that this decision was made by the country’s cabinet, and, according to it, the cards of 1.45 million registered Afghan refugees have been extended for another year. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

PM’s China visit: Dhaka now has to play its cards right - The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's China visit has laid the foundation for a forward-looking and expansive relationship and Dhaka now needs to play its due role to make the most of it, according to international relations analysts. Click here to read... [4]

Quota protests heat up as govt mulls hard line – The Daily Star

Ignoring police warnings and ministers' calls to step back, anti-quota protesters yesterday broke barricades on roads and went ahead with their "Bangla Blockade", leading to a face-off with the law enforcers. Click here to read... [5]

Why does France want to develop strategic ties with Bangladesh? – Dhaka Tribune

French Ambassador in Dhaka Marie Masdupuy has explained the reasons why her country wants to develop strategic partnership with Bangladesh as she faces a lot of questions. Click here to read... [6]

Bhutan

EAM Jaishankar holds bilateral talks with Bhutan, Bangladesh counterparts – Business Standard

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on July 11, 2024 held separate meetings with his counterparts from Bangladesh and Bhutan, focusing on ways to boost bilateral ties in diverse areas. The meetings took place in Delhi on the sidelines of a retreat session of the foreign ministers of member nations of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). Click here to read... [7]

Motion moved for flight service and border entry/exit – Bhutan Today

The Dewathang-Gomdar MP, Ugyen Dorji moved the house to motion for the need to institute special and targeted measures to promote tourism for balanced regional development. He said that tourism is considered as important sector worldwide where it brought great development. He pointed out that globally tourism contributed US$ 7.6 trillion to the global economy which tantamount 10.2 percent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which generated 292 million jobs. Click here to read... [8]

Maldives

EU to provide 6.5 million euros over five years for environmental protection – Adhadhu

The European Union (EU) has begun discussions to provide Maldives with EUR 6.5 million (MVR 1 billion) for environmental protection. The discussions were attended by officials from the Ministry of Environment, the EU and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). During the meeting, discussions were held for the launch and implementation of the grant project, the Environment Ministry's official X account said in a post. "Discussions centered on tackling issues related to biodiversity, waste management and protected areas," the post read. Click here to read... [9]

"Maldives will uphold Islam when ensuring rights under ICCPR" – Adhahdu

Attorney General Ahmed Usham has said that the Maldives will uphold Islamic standards when ensuring the rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). He made the remarks at a review session held in Geneva, Switzerland, to present a report on the efforts made to ensure civil and political rights and freedoms in Maldives in accordance with the Convention from July 2012 to March 2022. Click here to read... [10]

Myanmar

Jaishankar Urges Myanmar to Tackle Key Security Concerns at BIMSTEC Retreat-Financial Express

In a significant diplomatic engagement at the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe. The meeting was crucial for addressing India’s pressing security and humanitarian concerns, which are pivotal for regional stability. Click here to read... [11]

Nepal

Almost certain to fail, Dahal goes for a floor test today – Kathmandu Post

Pushpa Kamal Dahal secured the vote of confidence in four consecutive tries after becoming the prime minister on December 25, 2022, but when he goes for his fifth on July 12, 2024, he is almost sure to fail. After CPN-UML, the largest coalition partner, withdrew its support to the government on July 3, Prime Minister Dahal has been leading the minority government. Soon after the UML withdrew its support, the Janata Samajbadi Party, led by Ashok Rai, also pulled the plug on the government. The CPN-UML has 77 seats and the newly formed Rai-led party has 7 seats in the House of Representatives. Click here to read... [12]

Japan hands over medical equipment to eight advanced public hospitals in Kathmandu Valley – Nepal News

The handover ceremony of the Project for the Improvement of Medical Equipment in Advanced Public Hospitals was held at the Ministry of Health and Population, and KIKUTA Yutaka, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal attended the ceremony. This project, funded by the grant assistance from the Government of Japan, provided medical equipment to eight advanced public hospitals in Kathmandu Valley to improve the quality of healthcare services, mainly by strengthening the diagnostic and treatment systems for patients with non-communicable diseases, thereby contributing to poverty reduction and improving the quality of life in the country. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

‘TTP now largest terror group in Afghanistan’-Dawn

The proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is now the largest terrorist group in Afghanistan, enjoying operational and logistical support from both the Afghan Taliban and factions of the Al Qaeda terrorist network, according to a United Nations monitoring report. “The Taliban do not conceive of TTP as a terrorist group: the bonds are close, and the debt owed to TTP significant,” states the 15th report of the ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaeda/Taliban Monitoring Team, submitted to the UN Security Council. Click here to read... [14]

Pakistan, Azerbaijan sign 15 MoUs to boost bilateral ties-The Express Tribune

Pakistan and Azerbaijan signed 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements on Thursday to enhance bilateral cooperation across various sectors including trade, commerce, tourism, minerals, science and technology, law, justice, and cultural exchange programs. Click here to read... [15]

Sri Lanka

India suspends new loan projects given current economic status in Sri Lanka – Daily Mirror

India has suspended fresh loan or Line of Credit (LoC) projects in Sri Lanka given the current status of the economy, Daily Mirror learns. Instead, Daily Mirror learns India will shift attention further on projects based on grant projects and investments similar to connectivity projects. Click here to read... [16]

Sri Lankan Navy arrests 13 fishers from Pudukottai – The Hindu

The Sri Lankan Navy on Thursday arrested 13 fishermen of Pudukottai district for trespassing into the waters of the island nation. Coastal Security Group sources said that the fishermen had put out to sea on three mechanised boats from Jagadapattinam and Kottaipattinam coastal villages on Wednesday. Click here to read... [17]