VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: May 24, 2019

PAKISTAN

India cautioned not to change status of Kashmir: Dawn

May 24, 2019

The Foreign Office on Thursday cautioned India against changing the constitutional status of occupied Kashmir and reminded it that its high-handed tactics could not suppress the freedom movement. “Pakistan opposes any move which violates the United Nations Security Council resolutions on the Jammu & Kashmir dispute. In principle, there cannot be any change in the status of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir until a UN-administ­ered plebiscite is held in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions,” FO spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal said at the weekly media briefing. https://www.dawn.com/news/1484223/india-cautioned-not-to-change-status-of-occupied-kashmir [2] " target="_blank">Click here to read...

AFGHANISTAN

Moscow To Host Meeting On Afghanistan Next Week: Tolo News

May 24, 2019

A number of Afghan politicians, including former President Hamid Karzai, and a number of Taliban members have been invited to attend a meeting in Moscow next week in which they will discuss issues about Afghanistan, especially the peace process. The meeting will be held on May 27 to commemorate the 100 years of relations between Afghanistan and Russia. “Any effort in anywhere is helpful for peace because the people of Afghanistan want peace,” said Ahmadullah Alizai, an invited politician. “It is possible that it will strengthen visits, but there is no specific issue for peace that ought to be discussed,” said Rahim Beg Yaqubi, member of the High Peace Council. https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/moscow-host-meeting-afghanistan-next-week [2] " target="_blank">Click here to read...

NEPAL

Chinese envoy says cross-border railway is not an overnight project: Kathmandu Post

May 24, 2019

Nepal-China cross-border railway is a complex project and it cannot be expected to complete overnight, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi said on Thursday, just as she tried to assuage concerns among some sections of Nepali society that Nepal might fall into a debt trap if it implements projects under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. “Cross-border railway is a complex project which will take time to construct,” Hou told the media in her first press conference since she took charge of the embassy in December last year. “The transborder railway is very important for both the countries, but owing to the difficult geography, construction is not an easy job. It is not going to be ready overnight.” http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2019-05-24/chinese-envoy-says-cross-border-railway-is-not-an-overnight-project.html [2] " target="_blank">Click here to read...

CHINA

Xi congratulates Indian PM Modi on party's election victory: Xinhuanet

May 24, 2019

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the victory of his Bharatiya Janata Party in the general elections. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-05/24/c_138085323.htm [2] " target="_blank">Click here to read...

Talks require US to 'correct wrong moves': China Daily

May 24, 2019

The United States needs to practice sincerity and "correct its wrong moves" if it wants to continue trade talks with China, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday. The US administration decided on May 10 to further raise tariffs on Chinese imports, and it then placed restrictions on Huawei's business operations, which has harmed the interests of companies and financial markets in both countries. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201905/24/WS5ce6e085a3104842260bd75a.html [2] " target="_blank">Click here to read...