Focus Neighbourhood: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Historic Visit to Bhutan: Strengthening Bonds and Building Partnerships

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Historic Visit to Bhutan: Strengthening Bonds and Building Partnerships

Daily Bhutan | 24th March

This visit marks the Prime Minister’s third official trip to Bhutan and was met with a warm reception, reflecting the enduring friendship between Bhutan and India. Notably, this visit holds significance as it is Prime Minister Modi’s final official visit before the upcoming elections in India.

Strengthening Relationships Through Trust and Understanding

Prime Minister Modi had an Audience with His Majesty The King at the Tashichho Dzong, where he received a guard of honor and was escorted in a Chipdrel procession.

 

IMF programme no excuse to retard growth: PM Shehbaz

Dawn | 26th March

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that any upcoming programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) could not be used as an excuse to retard the country’s economic growth.

The government has already announced that the matter of an Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with the IMF will be discussed in Washington next month as the country looks to alleviate a full-scale economic crisis.

The standby $3 billion arrangement with the global lender expires on April 11, and the two sides reached a staff-level agreement regarding the disbursal of the final tranche of $1.1bn earlier last week.

 

Agreement Signed to Establish Kabul-Beijing Joint Institute: TVET

TOLO News | 24th March

Coinciding with the start of the 1403 academic year, the Technical Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVET) announced the signing of an agreement with China aimed at establishing a Kabul-Beijing joint institute.

Ghulam Haidar Shahamat, acting head of TVET, said that the creation of this institute will provide more job opportunities for the youth.

“Thank God, we have an agreement with China to build joint institutes and train people for the Afghan job market together. If needed, they will even take them to China and provide them with Chinese language training,” he said.

 

PAKISTAN

 

PM Shehbaz likely to visit China amid renewed terror threat

The Express Tribune | 26th March

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to undertake an official visit to China next month as part of efforts to give a renewed push to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship programme of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), but the latest terrorist attack is likely to overshadow the economic agenda.

As the dates were being finalised for Shehbaz’s maiden trip since he returned to the Prime Minister Office following the elections, another terrorist attack struck Chinese nationals in Basham on Tuesday.

 

PM Shehbaz, President Zardari renew committment to steer country out of crisis

The News | 26th March

After assuming charge of their respective offices, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari held their first meeting on Tuesday.

PM Shehbaz and President Zardari exchanged views on the country’s overall political and economic situation. Both high-ups expressed joint commitment to steer the country out of challenges.

They also discussed measures for providing relief to the masses during the month of Ramadan.

 

PIA privatisation plan approved

The Nation | 27th March

The Board of Direc­tors of Pakistan Internation­al Airlines (PIA) has okayed the government’s plan for privatisation of the national flag carrier. According to re­ports, the newly formed PIA’s Board of Directors gave the nod for privatisation after a lengthy four-hour session. Sources have revealed that under the Securities and Ex­change Commission of Paki­stan (SECP) regulations, it is mandatory to obtain approv­al from the board for deci­sions. The meeting also dis­cussed proposals regarding the future of employees. Rec­ommendations to retire em­ployees who have only left four years of service have been put forward, and pro­posals for voluntary retire­ment before the PIA privati­sation were also considered. 

 

SRI LANKA

 

Nine agreements signed on China-Sri Lanka cooperation

Daily Mirror | 26th March

The signing of nine new agreements between China and Sri Lanka took place today under the patronage of Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

The Prime Minister today paid floral tributes to the martyred war heroes at the Monument to the People’s Heroes at Tiananmen Square, and after receiving the guard of honour from the Chinese military, bilateral discussions commenced.

Later, during the bilateral talks held in the Great Hall in Beijing, more attention was paid to increasing overall cooperation in the social, cultural, educational and agricultural sectors in addition to economic cooperation.

 

The National Digital Economic Strategy for Sri Lanka – 2030 to be implemented

The Island | 26th March

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his office as the Minister of Technology to implement the “The National Digital Economic Strategy for Sri Lanka – 2030”

 

AFGHANISTAN

Amnesty International warns against continued Afghan migrant expulsion from Pakistan

The Khaama Press | 26th March

The International Amnesty Organization has expressed concerns that Pakistan’s program to continue expelling Afghan migrants will put many of them at risk.

The organization has urged countries to expedite the processing of asylum cases and the resettlement of Afghan migrants.

Amnesty International has also called on the Pakistani government to halt the mass expulsion of Afghan migrants and to protect the rights of asylum seekers in accordance with international laws.

Afghanistan has inked a $56 million agreement with the private sector

Afghanistan Times | 24th March

Afghanistan’s ministries of finance and energy and water, alongside Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), the nation’s power distributor, have signed contracts totaling 4 billion Afghanis (approximately $56 million) with private companies. The signing ceremony took place on Sunday.

These agreements, focusing on the construction and electricity production sectors, entail various projects such as the generation of 23 megawatts of solar power in the Sarubi district of Kabul province, the development of two power substations, and the extension of a 220-kilowatt power line.

 

BANGLADESH

 

Biman resumes Dhaka-Rome-Dhaka flight after 9 years

Prothom Alo | 26th March

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will resume direct flights to Italy’s Rome from tonight (Tuesday).

“We are all set to resume the flight. As per our market analysis, the Dhaka-Rome-Dhaka route will be another popular one, like our London (UK), Toronto (Canada), and Narita (Japan) routes,” said Biman MD and CEO Shafiul Azim.

The Dhaka-Rome-Dhaka direct flight is resuming after nine years prompting by large number of expatriate Bangladeshi community residing in Italy.

 

Bangladesh, Bhutan agree to boost ties in trade and connectivity

Bangladesh Post | 25th March

Bangladesh and Bhutan on Monday signed three new memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and renewed one to enhance mutual cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

The new MoUs are – Establishment of Special Economic Zone in Kurigram, setting up a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu and technical cooperation on Consumers Rights.

Besides, another MoU on cultural exchange was also renewed.

India congratulates Bangladesh on Independence Day

Dhaka Tribune | 26th March

India has congratulated Bangladesh on the occasion of the Independence Day.

President Droupadi Murmu sent a congratulatory letter to her Bangladesh counterpart Mohammed Shahabuddin conveying on her behalf and behalf of the government and the people of India, warmest greetings to the people of Bangladesh.

She highlighted the qualitative transformation in India-Bangladesh relations in the last decade with remarkable growth in diverse areas and expressed confidence that the leadership of the two countries will continue to endeavour towards further strengthening of people-to-people links between the two countries.

 

BHUTAN

Bhutan and Bangladesh to strengthen co-operation across various sectors

Kuensel | 26th March

Bhutan has announced plans to set up a special economic zone in the Kurigram district, located in the northern region of Bangladesh. The agreement, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), was signed yesterday during the State Visit of His Majesty The King and The Gyaltsuen to Bangladesh.

Media reports indicate that the Embassy of Bhutan in Bangladesh has sent a formal letter to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), expressing interest in acquiring appropriate land for establishing an economic zone in the northern region of the country.

 

Remembering Indian PM’s visits of 2014 and 2019

Business Bhutan | 23rd March

Indian Prime Minister (PM) Shri Narendra Modi leaves Bhutan today after a two day visit. However, the visit is not the first and the Indian PM visited Bhutan in 2014, making Bhutan the first country he visited after being voted as the Indian PM. The second visit followed in 2019, when he again became the Indian PM. PM Modi’s visits have not only further strengthened the close ties between the two countries, but also led to further cooperation in fields of development.

The first visit from 15-16 June, 2014 was made at the invitation of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. PM Modi was granted audiences by His Majesty the King, and His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck. 

 

MALDIVES

 

Maldives, Japan sign four bilateral agreements

Raajje | 26th March

The governments of the Republic of Maldives and Japan have signed four bilateral agreements.

In a press release issued on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the four Exchange of Notes signed on Monday mark a significant step in enhancing the existing ties between the two countries.

The four Exchange of Notes were signed during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

Major projects in Hulhumale’ Phase 3 contracted to China’s CMEC

The Edition | 27th March

Housing Development Corporation has contracted China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) with major projects in Hulhumale’ Phase 3 under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the parties on Tuesday.

HDC said that under this agreement, CMEC will establish an electricity network in the location, and set up a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON). GPON is a network that in recent times is being used to provide voice, data, video and internet services at gigabit speed to residences.

 

Maldives call Israel to honor UN ceasefire resolution

Sun | 26th March

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has called Israel to fully comply to the UN Security Council’s resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza.

The Security Council on Monday evening passed the resolution seeking for an immediate ceasefire on Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza, that has claimed over 32,000 Palestinian lives according to latest reports.

“We commend the adoption of the long awaited UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire during the holy month of Ramadan in Gaza,” President Muizzu said on X.

 

MYANMAR

 

Bangladesh Prepares to Ship Home More Defeated Myanmar Junta Personnel

The Irrawaddy | 26th March

Dhaka is finalizing the repatriation of 179 Myanmar regime troops who fled conflict in Rakhine State while Myanmar’s junta hopes to hand back over 200 Bangladeshis in regime prisons.

The swap is scheduled for early April, including a Border Guard Police (BGP) officer in his 40s who is accused of being involved in genocidal attacks on the Rohingya in 2017.

The regime border guards, who have been defeated by the Arakan Army (AA) are being held by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), which has refused to comment.

Myanmar Resistance Groups Assassinate 10 Junta Officials Linked to Forced Conscription

The Irrawaddy | 26th March

Resistance groups across Myanmar have killed at least 10 junta officials and arrested seven others in nine days for attempting to forcibly recruit civilians under the newly activated Conscription Law.

The backlash to conscription is occurring as the junta rushes to enforce the law that was activated on Feb. 10 to compensate for severe troop shortages in a military that is experiencing continuous, heavy losses in a multi-front war with resistance groups nationwide.

 

NEPAL

 

Nepal, China renew pledge to sign BRI execution plan ‘soon’

The Kathmandu Post | 27th March

Nepal and China on Tuesday reiterated their commitment to ‘very soon’ sign the implementation plan of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which will pave the way for working out financing and investment modality of the projects to be executed in Nepal under the initiative.

During the delegation-level talks between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing, the two sides agreed to sign the BRI implementation plan “as soon as possible,” according to a Nepali participant in the talks.

 

Only 27pc population has access to pure drinking water

The Himalayan Times | 23rd March

It is found that only 27 per cent of the total population of the country has access to pure drinking water, according to the Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation. Seventy-three per cent of the population is deprived of this facility in lack of minerals including iron in water sources owing to the dilapidated water pipeline and water tank of more than 100 years. Sources of drinking water become more polluted during times of natural disasters like landslide and flood which affects people’s health. According to doctors, drinking unfiltered and untreated water due to lack of public awareness has serious impact on public health.

 

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