Neighborhood News Digest - 08 November 2024

Afghanistan

Indian Delegates Meet Islamic Emirate Officials, Karzai-Tolo News

J.P. Singh, India’s joint secretary of the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division of the external affairs ministry, in separate meetings with Afghanistan's acting foreign and defense ministers, stressed the expansion of relations between Kabul and New Delhi. Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Amir Khan Muttaqi, in his meeting with J.P. Singh, highlighted the importance of visa facilitation for Afghan traders and the development of commercial relations with India, adding that Afghanistan-India relations are expected to improve in various fields. Click here to read... [2]

UN: Opium cultivation in Afghanistan rises by 19%-The Khaama Press

Despite a formal ban on poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported a 19% increase in cultivation in 2024 compared to the previous year. The Taliban has reportedly struggled to enforce the ban effectively. Click here to read... [3]

Iran Claims Increase in Methamphetamine Production in Afghanistan-Tolo News

Iran's Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, claimed that the production of methamphetamine in Afghanistan has increased significantly, which he considers a threat to Iran, the region, and the world. Momeni added that closing the border with Afghanistan is part of an effort aimed at preventing illegal entry and drug trafficking. Click here to read... [4]

Kandahar Textile Factory: Step toward Afghan Textile Self-Sufficiency-Tolo News

A manager of a textile factory in Kandahar states that in the coming years, Afghanistan will achieve self-sufficiency in textile production. Rahmat Rashid, the spokesperson for the joint-stock textile factory named Sandos in Kandahar, which is being built at a cost of $50 million, says that 75% of the work on this factory is complete and production will begin next year. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

3 Months of interim govt: Start of reform process reassuring - The Daily Star

The much talked about reforms are finally under way as the government completes its three months in office. There has been a unanimous agreement across the political spectrum about the necessity of reforming institutions that had been rendered into partisan instruments during the 15-year Awami League regime. That the commissions have begun their assignments is heartening. Click here to read... [6]

Deputy Commander of US Indo-Pacific calls on army chief – The Daily Star

A delegation led by deputy commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command Lt Gen Joshua M Rudd yesterday paid a courtesy call on Chief of Army Staff General Waqar-Uz-Zaman at Army Headquarters. During the meeting, they discussed the existing good relations between the two countries and various issues of cooperation for future progress, said an ISPR release. Click here to read... [7]

BNP procession from Naya Paltan to Manik Mia Avenue today – Prothom Alo

On the occasion of the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’, BNP will hold a grand procession in the capital today, Friday. According to party sources, the procession will start from BNP headquarters in Naya Paltan around 2:30 pm in the afternoon. After parading different streets, the procession will end at Makin Mia Avenue in front of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Click here to read... [8]

India considers Hasina as former prime minister: Randhir Jaiswal – Prothom Alo

India considers Awami League president Sheikh Hasina as the former prime minister of Bangladesh, said Indian external affairs ministry’s official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal today, Thursday. He made the remark while replying to a question of a journalist during the ministry’s weekly briefing. Click here to read... [9]

Interim govt would be able to hold elections in suitable time, says Mirza Fakhrul – Prothom Alo

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir believes 'the interim government would be able to organise the election in a suitable time'. The BNP leader expressed his hope while answering a query of newsmen at a party programme on the occasion of 7 November at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Thursday morning. Click here to read... [10]

Bhutan

Trade deficit narrows by over 20 percent as of September – Kuensel

Bhutan’s growing export sector has reduced the trade deficit by Nu 11.78 billion, bringing it down to Nu 36.35 billion as of September this year, compared to the same period last year. Going through the finance ministry’s figures for two years, the deficit was reported at Nu 48.13 billion and Nu 45.22 billion in the same period for 2023 and 2022, respectively. A country experiences a trade deficit when the value of imports exceeds the value of export. Click here to read... [11]

Assam governor inaugurates 'Integrated Check Post Darranga' to boost India-Bhutan trade – The Economic Times

The Governor of Assam, alongside Bhutan's Prime Minister, inaugurated the Integrated Check Post (ICP) Darranga, bolstering cross-border trade and connectivity. The new infrastructure, situated near the Bhutan border, is equipped with modern facilities to streamline trade and travel, strengthening economic and cultural ties between the two nations. Click here to read... [12]

New economic ties to benefit both Bhutan and Indonesia – Kuensel

A high-level Indonesian delegation, led by the ambassador of Indonesia to Bhutan, and business delegations based in India are in the country to explore new avenues in economic cooperation between the two countries from November 3 to 6. This visit marks the 13th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and aims to foster stronger trade and investment ties. Ambassador of Indonesia to Bhutan with residence in New Delhi, India, Ina Hagniningtyas Krishnamurthi, held productive discussions with the foreign affairs and external trade minister and the president of the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Click here to read... [13]

Maldives

Government begins work on 20-year national development plan– Adhadhu

The government has today launched the formulation of a 20-year national development plan with the assistance of the UNDP and the Australian Government. The masterplan will be developed within one year in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and the public along with various sectors and political parties. As part of the process of developing the masterplan, a National Development Act Bill will be drafted and a provision will be added to the Constitution to provide legal authority to ensure the implementation of the plan. Click here to read... [14]

MVR 16.8 billion will be incurred as debt next year– Adhadhu

The Finance Ministry has proposed to borrow MVR 16.8 billion to cover expenditure in 2025. According to the proposed state budget, half of the money will be borrowed from friendly countries and the other half will be borrowed from banks and organizations. The proposed budget states that MVR 1.7 billion will be borrowed from friendly countries. That is MVR 600 million more than the revised budget for this year. MVR 15 billion is to be borrowed from various banks and associations. That is MVR 5 billion less than the amount fixed for the current fiscal year. Most of the loans are to be taken from commercial banks next year. That is MVR 6.6 billion. The Finance Ministry said these loans will be taken for budget support. Click here to read... [15]

Foreign Minister highlights role of Maldivian culture in diplomacy– PSM News

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has emphasised the role of Maldivian culture in promoting diplomacy. He made these remarks at an event for diplomats held at the Maldives National University (MNU). The event, organised by students of the MNU’s Master of Political Science and International Affairs programme, aimed to introduce Maldivian culture to diplomats working in the Maldives. The seminar included presentations on Maldivian history, cultural traditions, and culinary practices. Click here to read... [16]

Yameen to run for President in 2028– Adhadhu

Former President Abdulla Yameen has announced that he will contest in the next presidential election. Yameen, who was in power from November 2013 to November 2018, said he still needs an opportunity to serve the country to resolve issues facing the Maldives. "There is no doubt. I am not running because I just want power. I am running to achieve three main things," he said. Although Yameen said there are three things he wants to achieve, he only mentioned two during the interview with Raajje TV. The biggest of these is to recover the lost territorial waters, he said. Click here to read... [17]

Pakistan

'Non-interference' will define Pak-US ties under Trump: FO-The Express Tribune

Pakistan expects that the United States, under president-elect Donald Trump, would continue to pursue bilateral relationship on the basis of "mutual respect and non-interference" in each other's domestic affairs. Click here to read... [18]

Senate panel clears bill to outlaw Zionism-The Express Tribune

The Senate Standing Committee on the Interior disposed of a heavy agenda, discussing the bills on stiffening the punishment for terrorism and rape, as well as outlawing Zionism as a religion and its propagation during a meeting on Thursday. Click here to read... [19]

Footprints: A fresh start-Dawn

After spending a year fleeing Israeli aggression, 44 Palestinian students from Gaza have arrived to complete their studies at medical varsity in Rawalpindi.Click here to read... [20]

Massive protest in Kurram against closure of roads-Dawn

A massive protest was held in Kurram on Thursday against the prolonged closure of roads leading to the district. Khurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud said the roads have been closed over security concerns after attacks on passenger vehicles on Oct 12. Dozens have lost their lives in violent clashes over tribal and sectarian disputes in the district over the past few months. Click here to read... [21]

Sri Lanka

India- Russia joint venture bid to manage China-built Mattala airport goes awry – Daily Mirror

The move initiated by the previous government to hand over the management of the Mattala International Airport to an India-Russia joint venture is poised to be abandoned since Sri Lankan authorities are not ready to grant the licence for it over legal barriers, a top source said. Click here to read... [22]

Korea steps in with US$ 10.2mn to help Sri Lanka tackle trash - Daily Mirror

The Government of Korea has granted US$ 10.20 million to Sri Lanka to improve solid waste management practices in the Uva and Northern provinces. The funds will be used to implement an indirect economic development project that will establish a solid waste management mechanism at the local government level during the period 2024-2028. Click here to read... [23]

Parliamentary Election campaigns to end on Monday midnight – Daily News

All election campaigns and canvassing for the Parliamentary Election 2024 will end at midnight on Monday, November 11, the Election Commission stated. Accordingly, there remains only four more days to conduct election campaigns and canvassing by candidates from recognised political parties, independent groups and political parties. Click here to read... [24]