VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: 2nd January, 2019

PAKISTAN

IP gas project in limbo: Pakistan wants Iran to interpret sanctions: Dawn
January 2, 2019

Pakistan has urged Iran to explain in-writing its interpretation of sanctions that resulted in a massive delay in completion of the mega Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project. “The government has taken up the issue in a recent meeting with the Iranian petroleum ministry’s advisers held in Islamabad. During the meeting, we have asked them to give us a detailed clarity over their interpretation of the sanctions under which they claim that the restrictions don’t affect completion of the project,” Inter State Gas System (ISGS) Managing Director Mr Mobeen Saulat told Dawn on Tuesday. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

NATO Troops See An Opportunity For Afghan Peace In 2019: Tolo News
January 2, 2019

NATO troops stationed in Kabul said on Tuesday that 2019 brings an opportunity for peace as they ushered in the new year with a special workout session. Troops participated in a 60-minute event comprising of sprints, squats, push-up and jumps at an open-air gymnasium days after reports of a possible US drawdown emerged. General Scott Miller, Commander of US and NATO’s Resolute Support mission forces in Afghanistan, who participated in the special workout session, told troops the Taliban and the Afghan government are talking about peace. “The policy review is going on in multiple capitals, peace talks (are) out there, regional players pressing for peace, the Taliban talking about peace, the Afghan government talking about peace,” Miller said. Click here to read... [3]

NEPAL

Indo-Nepal railway project likely to be completed by February: Times of India
January 2, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to dedicate the new Indo-Nepal railway line being laid between Jaynagar (India) Bardibas (Nepal) soon. Officials in Indian Railways claimed he project is intended to be completed by February with full cooperation form Nepal government. Click here to read... [4]

CHINA

Highlights of Xi's speech at Taiwan message anniversary event: China Daily
January 2, 2019

President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at a gathering held Wednesday in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. Click here to read... [5]

Sino-US ties at 'vital stage', president says: People's Daily
January 2, 2019

Relations between China and the United States are "at a vital stage", said President Xi Jinping in describing the current bilateral ties after 40 years of development. As Tuesday marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Beijing and Washington, both Xi and his US counterpart Donald Trump hailed the tremendous progress that China-US relations have made over the past four decades as they exchanged congratulations on the event. Click here to read... [6]