Neighborhood News Digest- 16 October 2024

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Rejects Claims of Arms Smuggling to Pakistan-Tolo News

The Ministry of Interior has dismissed the claims made by Pakistani officials regarding arms smuggling from Afghanistan to Pakistan, saying that the weapons that entered Pakistan through Torkham are not linked to the Islamic Emirate. Click here to read… [2]

Afghanistan listed among the world’s poorest countries: World Bank Report-The Khaama Press

The World Bank has released a report stating that Afghanistan and Yemen are among the 26 poorest countries in the world, with around 40% of the population in the poorest countries residing in these two nations. Click here to read… [3]

CSTO holds military drills in Tajikistan near Afghanistan border-The Khaama Press

The Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) announced that it conducted military exercises at the Harb Maidon training center in Tajikistan, near the border of Afghanistan. For the past three years, regional organizations, including CSTO member states, have consistently expressed concerns about the threat of extremism spreading from Afghanistan into Central Asia. Click here to read… [4]

UK to accept Asylum Requests of hundreds of former Afghan special forces-The Khaama Press

British media reported on Monday that the UK government has decided to relocate hundreds of former Afghan commandos and their families who are eligible for resettlement. These individuals had previously been denied asylum by the former UK government. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Weak policing, polls uncertainty pose high risk to economy - The Daily Star

The World Bank (WB) identified law and order, uncertainty surrounding the next general election and weak financial sector as the three major downside risks to Bangladesh's economy and development. Click here to read… [6]

‘Invite UN team to probe rights violations in CHT’ – The Daily Star

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Rights, in a joint statement yesterday, expressed deep concern over reports of increasing violence against the indigenous peoples of the CHT in Bangladesh. Click here to read… [7]

India reaching out to BNP in Bangladesh’s changed era - Dhaka Tribune

A little over six weeks after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's autocratic regime on August 5, the top Indian diplomat in Dhaka, Pranay Verma, met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on September 22 at the party’s Gulshan office, signaling a shift in policy, as Delhi had been widely criticized for "putting all its eggs in one basket." Click here to read… [8]

Relations with China should be considered holistically – Prothom Alo

The future of relations with China should be viewed holistically, taking into account the post-revolutionary situation, in the context of the significant political change in the history of Bangladesh. Foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain said that Bangladesh has witnessed the most significant political change in its history. As a result, the future of Bangladesh-China relations in the post-revolutionary context must be taken into consideration from a wider perspective. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

Nepal, Bhutan seek Indian investment in hydro projects, power export-Business Standard

Nepal and Bhutan are seeking Indian investment to boost their hydroelectric output and export surplus power to New Delhi, officials from the two countries said on Tuesday at an industry event. Click here to read… [10]

Paro International Airport expansion to engulf over 90 acres of land-Kuensel

The Paro International Airport is set to undergo major expansion, necessitating the acquisition of more than 90 acres of land, including both government and private land. Click here to read… [11]

The Politics of China’s Land Appropriation in Bhutan – Diplomat

China has built 22 villages and settlements within Bhutan’s customary borders. And there is no sign that Bhutan can do anything about it – or that Beijing will face any costs. Click here to read… [12]

Maldives

MoU with China's BUCG for Male'-Funadhoo-Hulhule' monorail– Adhadhu

The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has signed an MoU with China's Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) to connect Funadhoo to Velana International Airport (VIA) and the capital Male' by monorail. MACL Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef and BUCG Managing Director Luo Wei signed the MoU on October 14. The project is named West Side Commercial Hub and Rail Transport Development. This is part of the development and expansion of VIA and the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project in Funadhoo. The funding for the monorail project will be arranged by Dubai’s International Freezone Authority (IFZA), which was also tasked with developing and operating areas designated by the government as Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Click here to read… [13]

Aishath Azeema is new Maldives envoy to India – Indian Express

A week after Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s first official bilateral visit to India after he was voted to power late last year following a campaign centred on an ‘India out’ policy, senior diplomat Aishath Azeema is set to replace Ibrahim Shaheeb as Maldives’ top envoy to India. The decision to appoint a new ambassador to New Delhi comes as the island nation looks to strengthen and restore its relationship with India, which the news portal Sun.mv described as one of the Maldives’ “closest bilateral partners.” Azeema, who joined the foreign service in 1988, served as the Maldivian ambassador to China from June 2019 to September 2023. She has also held positions as deputy ambassador to the UK and has worked in various senior roles within the Foreign Ministry, including as an additional secretary and joint secretary. Click here to read… [14]

President announces removal of 228 political appointees to reduce state expenses – PSM News

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced the removal of 228 political appointees from various government ministries, aiming to reduce the government expenditure. The decision was publicised in a social media post, in which the president described it as a direct cost-cutting measure. In a social media post, President Dr. Muizzu announced the decision to remove 228 political appointees from various government ministries as part of the administration’s Economic Reform Agenda. The president stated that has instructed the removal of seven state minister, 43 deputy ministers, 109 senior political directors and 69 political directors. He noted that this measure is expected to save the government USD 370,557 per month. Click here to read… [15]

Pakistan

PM Shehbaz welcomes state dignitaries to SCO dinner-Dawn

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hosted a dinner on Tuesday, welcoming dignitaries from various member states on the first day of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.The SCO comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus — with 16 more countries affiliated as observers or “dialogue partners”. Click here to read… [16]

PM Shehbaz set to chair SCO leaders’ moot today-Dawn

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday evening hosted a welcome dinner for the dignitaries from various member states on the first day of the two-day Shan¬ghai Cooperation Organi¬sation (SCO) summit. Leaders from SCO member states arrived in Islam¬abad on Tuesday for the 23rd Council of Heads of Governments meeting, where discussions will cen¬ter around trade, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity within the Eurasian political and security bloc. Click here to read… [17]

PPP, JUI-F agree on draft for constitutional amendments-The Express Tribune

The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) have reached an agreement on a draft for proposed constitutional amendments. Both parties announced that they will soon meet with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif to secure a broader consensus on the amendments. Click here to read… [18]

Pakistan bolsters regional ties with Tajikistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan at SCO summit-The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in multiple high-level bilateral meetings with regional counterparts during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in Islamabad on Tuesday. The discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, and regional connectivity between Pakistan and its Central Asian partners. Click here to read… [19]

Sri Lanka

Minister confirms vote on account for December – Daily Mirror

The government is expecting to present a vote on account instead of a budget in December this year, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday. He told the weekly Cabinet briefing that the government will not have sufficient time to present the budget for year 2025 as the parliament convenes on November 21 after the general election. Click here to read… [20]

Ranil to make special statement on Thursday – Daily Mirror

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is to make a special statement on Thursday, October 17. Sources close to Wickremeisnghe said he would speak about the present political situation and reveal some future plans. Click here to read… [21]

Sri Lanka to apply for BRICS membership, says foreign minister – The Print

Sri Lanka’s newly-appointed Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath on Monday said that Colombo will apply for membership of the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) and the New Development Bank. Click here to read… [22]