Neighborhood News Digest - 21 January 2025

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Rejects Trump's Claims of Dependency on US Aid-Tolo News

In response to Donald Trump's recent statements about the US sending billions of dollars in aid to Afghanistan, the Islamic Emirate has stated that the caretaker government in Afghanistan is not dependent on international aid. Abdul Latif Nazari, the deputy minister of economy, told TOLO news that such threats have no impact on the decision-making of the caretaker government. Click here to read… [2]

Iran deports over 3,000 Afghan refugees in one day: Norwegian Refugee Council-The Khaama Press

Jan Egeland, the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, has announced that Iran deported over 3,000 Afghan refugees in a single day. He warned that these individuals have no resources to restart their lives in Afghanistan, a country where millions are already in desperate need of assistance. Click here to read… [3]

Trump Administration Suspends Afghan Refugee Flights, Leaving Thousands in Limbo-The Khaama Press

In a shocking development, nearly 1,660 Afghan refugees approved for resettlement in the United States, including family members of active-duty U.S. military personnel, are being removed from flights under President Donald Trump’s executive order to suspend U.S. refugee programs. The decision has sparked panic among Afghan refugees and advocates, with many fearing dire consequences for those left behind, Reuters reported. Click here to read… [4]

Bangladesh

90-day interim govt proposed to oversee polls – The Daily Star

The Constitution Reform Commission has proposed an interim government system to oversee elections and outlined a comprehensive framework for the selection of this government's chief. The interim government, commonly known as a caretaker government, will take over after parliament is dissolved, and ensure a smooth transition to a newly elected government. It will remain in office until the next elected government takes oath, according to the commission's proposal. Click here to read… [5]

US renews pledge to support govt – The Daily Star

The new Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Bangladesh, Tracey Ann Jacobson, yesterday reiterated her country's support for Bangladesh's interim government on various issues, including development and counter-terrorism. Click here to read… [6]

MoFA: Border issue with India should be resolved through dialogue - Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh has expressed confidence that border-related issues with India will be resolved through dialogue under the framework of the existing Land Boundary Agreement between the two neighboring nations. “Bangladesh firmly believes that any issues should be resolved through constructive dialogue under the framework of existing bilateral agreements to maintain peace along the border,” stated a message from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), shared with the media in the afternoon. Click here to read… [7]

China keen to take Chief Adviser to Beijing in March – Prothom Alo

Following the 5 August 2024 changeover due to the student-people uprising, China is keen to deepen the relations with Bangladesh. Beijing is interested in a summit meeting in continuation of bilateral meetings with the interim government. That is why China wants to take Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus to China in March this year, marking five decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Click here to read… [8]

Bhutan

Grants inflow declines by over 25 percent after LDC graduation – Kuensel

Bhutan’s external grants inflow decreased after the country’s historic graduation from the least developed country (LDC) status in December 2023. According to the figures with the finance ministry, the external grants saw a decrease to Nu 10.62 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24, a decrease of Nu 3.74 billion or by 26 percent compared to the previous fiscal year, especially in decline of grants from the multilateral agencies. Click here to read… [9]

Maldives

Maldives to Participate in 48th Session of the UPR Working Group in Geneva – PSM News

The 48th Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) has commenced at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, with the Maldives scheduled to participate in discussions to review and enhance global human rights practices. This session will continue for a period of two weeks and conclude on 31 January 2025. During this period, the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review Working Group will examine fourteen States. The States to be reviewed during this session are Angola, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, The Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, San Marino and Slovenia. Click here to read… [10]

President Muizzu Congratulates Donald Trump on Inauguration, Highlights 60 Years of Maldives-US Partnership – PSM News

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has congratulated President Donald J. Trump on his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America, reaffirming the Maldives’ commitment to advancing shared goals of regional peace, economic cooperation and global security. In a letter addressed to President Trump, President Dr Muizzu highlighted that, as a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives cherishes its diplomatic ties with the USA to advance shared goals of ensuring regional peace and prosperity. He expressed his wish to work with President Trump and his administration to achieve these shared goals for a more secure and safer global environment. Click here to read… [11]

Myanmar

Myanmar military, minority armed group agree ceasefire, China says – Reuters

The Myanmar military and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) signed a formal agreement for a ceasefire that began on Saturday, China's foreign ministry said, halting fighting near the border of both countries. The two sides held talks in China's southwestern city of Kunming where they thanked Beijing for its efforts to promote peace, ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a regular news briefing on January 20. China will continue to actively promote peace and dialogue and provide support and assistance to the peace process in northern Myanmar, Mao said. The MNDAA is one of several ethnic minority armed groups fighting to repel the military from what they consider their territories. Click here to read… [12]

Where China wants election, West and its allies want it deferred – First Post

Myanmar has emerged as the latest country where China is seeking to entrench itself as the ultimate string-puller. In February 2011, Myanmar’s military overthrew the country’s democratically-elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and established a military junta. Pro-democracy protests that erupted with the military coup led to a bloody civil war between the military regime and opposition forces. In recent months, the opposition forces have pushed the regime on backfoot. While much of the international community, including the United States and much of the West, has called for the restoration of democracy, China has put its weight behind the junta. In the latest example of Chinese support to junta, China has supported the decision of the junta to hold elections in Myanmar later this year. Click here to read… [13]

Pakistan

PM Shehbaz approves diplomatic reshuffle-The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the appointments of several ambassadors and heads of Pakistani missions in various capitals of the world on the advice of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. There was no official announcement but sources confirmed that Shehbaz finally gave the go-ahead to appointment of ambassadors and consul generals. Click here to read… [14]

Iranian military official meets army chief, president-Dawn

Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of general staff (CGS) of the Iranian Armed Forces called on President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, on Monday. During the meeting with the president, both men highlighted the longstanding and fraternal relations between Pakistan and Iran, and emphasised the need to promote trade and economic relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries. Click here to read… [15]

Imran khan sets seven-day deadline for formation of judicial commission-The Express Tribune

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has directed his party’s negotiation team to withdraw from further talks with the government if a judicial commission is not formed within seven days, according to Barrister Gohar. Speaking to media outside Adiala Jail, Gohar emphasised that the establishment of the judicial commission is critical for meaningful dialogue. Click here to read… [16]

Sri Lanka

IMF agreement will be further reviewed soon to grant more concessions to people: Deputy Minister – Daily Mirror

The government will review the IMF agreement to grant more concessions to the people, Deputy Minister of Fiance Harshana Sooriyaperuma told Parliament today. The Deputy Minister said the IMF agreement has already been reviewed to some extent and some tax concessions have been granted. This, he said, include increasing PAYE tax to Rs 150,000, waiving of VAT for milkfoods and paying Rs 6,000 to all needy children to purchase school stationery. Click here to read… [17]

Anura has forgotten I am Mahinda Rajapaksa - Ready to vacate at any time, - MR hits back hard at AKD – Daily Mirror

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said he is ready to vacate his official residence in Colombo at any time and requested the President to send him a written official request rather than going on public stages and attempting to attract publicity for himself. Speaking to the Daily Mirror just a day after President Dissanayake made a public speech, asking Rajapaksa to vacate his official residence or pay a rent of Rs.4.6 million monthly for it, the former President said that his official residence was given to him following a cabinet decision during Maithripala Sirisena's tenure, and it was given to him for his protection and as a former head of state which he was constitutionally entitled to. Click here to read… [18]