Neighbourhood News Digest – 11 December 2024

Afghanistan

Strengthening Ties: Islamic Emirate’s Diplomatic Efforts in Qatar – Tolo News

Mohammad Naeem, acting head of the Islamic Emirate's Embassy in Qatar, praised Doha's role in fostering relations between the Islamic Emirate and the United States. He said that meetings with officials from various countries are aimed at improving Afghanistan’s current situation. In response to a question on ties with the United States, Mohammad Naeem stated that there are no notable concerns. “For the sake of our people and country, we have made efforts within the framework of Islamic principles and will continue to do so. Our goal is to reach mutual understanding and resolve problems,” Naeem said. Click here to read... [2]

Rise in Dollar Value in Afghanistan Impacting Food Prices – Tolo News

In the past two weeks, the value of one US dollar has increased by four afghani in Afghanistan. According to data from Sarai Shahzada money exchangers, one dollar is currently exchanged for 70.40 afghanis. Alongside the rise in the dollar's value, some residents of the capital have complained about the increasing prices of food items in the markets. Afghanistan remains dependent on importing most of its essential goods from foreign countries, as it has not yet achieved self-sufficiency in food production. Mohammad Akbar, a Kabul resident, said: "The price of food items has reached about 1,700 to 1,800 afghani. How can someone earning 200 afghani a day afford rent, food, and utility bills?" Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

US urges India, Bangladesh to resolve differences peacefully – Hindustan Times

The United States has called for India and Bangladesh to resolve their differences peacefully. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller made the statement during a daily news briefing on December 10. “We want to see all parties resolve their disagreements peacefully,” Miler said, responding to a question on the recent visit of India's foreign secretary to Bangladesh. During his visit earlier this week, foreign secretary Vikram Misri expressed New Delhi's concerns regarding the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh optimistic about resolving standoff in ties with India – Business Standard

Bangladesh and India will be able to overcome the stalemate in the relationship witnessed in recent months, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said here on December 8. His comments came ahead of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit to Bangladesh on December 9 during which he is likely to raise with Dhaka India's concerns over attacks on Hindus after a massive uprising ended deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule in August. This will be the first visit to be made by a senior Indian government official to Bangladesh since the interim government came to power on August 8. Click here to read... [5]

Bhutan

Drukyul Camp in Australia to connect Bhutanese youth to their roots – Kuensel

A group of about 20 Bhutanese, in partnership with the Association of Bhutanese in Perth Incorporated (ABPI), is set to host the first-ever two-week Drukyul Camp in Perth, Australia, from December 23. The initiative aims to inspire Bhutanese youth, foster a sense of belonging, and help them feel valued as Bhutanese citizens. Led mostly by retired teachers with diverse experience, the camp offers a unique opportunity for participants to explore Bhutanese culture, traditions, and history, while fostering relationships, building community, and discovering their personal identity. Kinley Tenzin, a founding member and the camp coordinator, explained that the programme is structured around four key themes—national language and culture, Bhutanese values and scouting, history, and driglam choesum. Click here to read... [6]

Khorlochhu Hydropower Project in Bhutan to commission in 2029: Tata Power CEO – The Economic Times

The construction work of the Rs 6,900 crore Khorlochhu Hydropower Project in Bhutan has started, and the plant is likely to be commissioned by 2029, Tata Power CEO and MD Praveer Sinha has said. The 600 MW project is being developed on the Kholongchhu River in the eastern part of the neighbouring nation. "We are looking at Bhutan. Work has already started for the 600 MW project in Khorlochhu...the tunnel diversion work," Sinha told PTI in reply to a question on plans for hydro projects outside India. The project is expected to be commissioned in September 2029, he said. Click here to read... [7]

Maldives

Maldivian to Launch Direct Flights to Four Cities in China – Avas

The national airline, Maldivian, is set to launch direct flights to four cities in China. The announcement was made at a ceremony held in Beijing, China, by Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen. Speaking at the ceremony, he detailed that the direct flight will connect Velana International Airport (VIA) with four major cities, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xian, using a wide-body Airbus A330-200 aircraft. During the ceremony, a presentation on enhancing tourism, trade, and transport between both countries was delivered, including information on the wide-body aircraft to be soon added to Maldivian's fleet. Click here to read... [8]

Aasandha coverage in UAE, Thailand starting January – Adhadhu

Aasandha has signed an agreement with three hospitals to provide Aasandha health insurance scheme for Maldivian patients in Thailand and UAE. The agreement was signed with Bangkok Hospital, World Medical Hospital and Burjeel Medical City (BMC) in Dubai. Aasandha said its health insurance scheme will be available at the three hotels under special procedures starting January 15. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu promised to expand Aasandha to UAE and Thailand in addition to India and Sri Lanka. Click here to read... [9]

Myanmar

Chin resistance forces capture key road to Chin State capital Hakha – Myanmar Now

Anti-regime forces have taken control of the last of eight junta bases between the Chin State capital Hakha and the town of Thantlang, according to the Chin National Army (CNA). The group and its allies began fighting for control of the road on November 22, and finally succeeded with the capture of the Awto hilltop base on Sunday, said CNA spokesperson Salai Htet Ni. The regime’s forces suffered heavy loss during the offensive, he added. “We captured 20 prisoners of war, seized 60 to 70 firearms, and confiscated over 20,000 bullets. Notably, two battalion commanders of lieutenant colonel rank and four officers from their side were killed,” he told Myanmar Now on December 9. Click here to read... [10]

Myanmar's economy likely to shrink as floods compound crisis: World Bank– Business Standard

Myanmar's economy is expected to shrink by 1 per cent in the current fiscal year, the World Bank said on Wednesday, sharply downgrading its economic forecast as severe floods compounded the challenges facing the conflict-torn country. In June, the bank had projected Myanmar's economy would grow 1 per cent during the current fiscal year, which ends in March 2025, but warned of increasing poverty and escalating violence. The country of 55 million people has been in turmoil since 2021 when the military seized power from the elected civilian government triggering a nationwide protest movement that evolved into an armed rebellion against the junta. The coup abruptly ended a decade of tentative democratic and economic reform in Myanmar, with Western investors pulling out of the country and sanctions disrupting trade. Click here to read... [11]

Nepal

Nepal Army chief arrives on 4-day visit – The Tribune

The Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel commenced an official visit to India today. The General arrived December 11, but events and his engagements are planned from December 11 to 14. The Ministry of Defence said, “The visit aims to enhance bilateral military cooperation and explore new avenues for defence collaboration.” The Nepali Army Chief will have an interaction with Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi tomorrow. Gen Sigdel will also be briefed on India’s security perspective. Click here to read... [12]

Another pact on BRI, THMDCN also inked during Oli’s China trip – The Kathmandu Post

Nepal and China, during Prime Minister KP Oli’s latest official visit to China, signed a new deal titled “Development plan for year 2025-2029” under the ambit of Belt and Road Initiative and Trans Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network (THMDCN). However, the text of the new agreement signed between Nepal’s Ministry of Finance and China International Development Cooperation Agency, which is considered China’s external aid agency, has been kept a secret. Mahesh Bhattarai, spokesperson at the Finance Ministry, told the Post that the ministry is not fully aware of the text of the ‘development plan’ signed in Beijing and is waiting for details from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Click here to read... [13]

Pakistan

Pakistan's ISI pushes drug addicts as terror couriers in Indian jails, say officials – The Times of India

Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI has reportedly resorted to infiltrating individuals under the influence of drugs or posing as mentally disturbed into India to utilise them to deliver critical messages to hardcore terrorists incarcerated in the country's prisons. Officials said that more than 10 such cases have been reported since July this year in which Pakistani nationals have entered India from their country and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Many of them have been sent to prisons in Jammu, Punjab and Rajasthan. The officials said security agencies suspect these individuals are Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) couriers tasked with relaying important communication to the jailed terrorists wherever possible. Click here to read... [14]

Pakistan asks US to support its reforms, avoid criticism – The Dawn

Pakistan has asked the United States to focus on strengthening bilateral ties and supporting its ongoing democratic reforms rather than adopting ‘unconstructive’ resolutions. Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this at a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, with Senator Irfanul Haq Siddiqui in the chair, on December 10. The officials were referring to foreign ministry’s response to the US House Resolution 901 that urged Pakistan to uphold democratic institutions and human rights. The US resolution, passed in June 2024, drew criticism from the foreign ministry for its lack of understanding of Paki­stan’s political dynamics. Click here to read... [15]

Afghan diplomat, FM Dar discuss ‘deep-rooted relations’ – The Dawn

Pakistan and Afghanistan continued their renewed engagement on Monday, with Afghan Chargé d’affaires Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb meeting Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to discuss bilateral ties. The Foreign Office (FO) issued a statement on the meeting noting that the two discussed the “deep-rooted ties” between the nations and agreed on the need to “strengthen mutually beneficial relations”. This marks the second senior-level interaction in recent weeks, following a meeting between Pakis­tan’s Chargé d’affaires in Kabul, Obaid Nizamani, and Taliban Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob. Click here to read... [16]

Sri Lanka

Adani to use own funds for a Sri Lankan port in India-China faceoff – Business Today

Gautam Adani, Asia’s second-richest man, has abruptly pulled out of a $553 million loan deal with the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to fund a port terminal in Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo. The decision, announced in a company filing, ends a high-profile agreement celebrated just last year as a strategic push by India and the US to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd., majority-owned by the embattled billionaire, stated, “The project will be financed through the company’s internal accruals and capital management plan. We have withdrawn our request for financing from the DFC.” Click here to read... [17]

Sri Lanka President Dissanayake to visit India in his first foreign trip – DD News

Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake is set to embark on his first international trip since assuming office, with a visit to India scheduled from December 15 to 17. The Sri Lankan government confirmed that during his visit, Dissanayake will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu. He will be accompanied by key officials, including Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha Fernando. The visit follows an invitation extended by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar during his trip to Colombo earlier this year, shortly after the National People’s Power (NPP) party came to power. During his one-day visit to Colombo on October 4, EAM Jaishankar met President Dissanayake and reaffirmed India’s strong commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and SAGAR outlook. Click here to read... [18]