Country Reports
Afghanistan
19 more killed in series of bomb blasts
Days after a massive bomb blast in Kabul’s diplomatic area killed over 80 people on May 31, a series of blast struck the city once again killing 19 people. The blasts, which took place on June 3, were at a funeral for one of the victims of clashes between the police and protestors the day before. Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah was at the funeral but remain unharmed, while survivors said the series of explosions had ripped through the crowd, most of whom appeared to be linked to Abdullah's Jamiat-e-Islami party.
For more information, see: “Deadly blasts hit funeral mourners after protests in Afghan capital”, Reuters
Hekmatyar backs Govt
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the head of Hizb-e-Islami, addressing a press conference in Kabul on June 8 said that everyone has the right to demonstrate peacefully. While public demonstration are every citizens’ right, Hekmatyar warned those who attempt to overrun the presidential palace. He stated that Hizb-e-Islami accepts the system as it is and encouraged the nation to do the same. He added that Hizb-e-Islami would participate in the next parliamentary elections but no decision had been made on taking part in the presidential elections yet.
For more information, see: “Hekmatyar ‘supports the system’ urges nation to do the same”, Tolo News
Political parties criticise calls for resignations from government
A number of political parties have criticised Jamiat-e-Islami party for demanding the resignation of security heads in the government following the Kabul blast on May 31. Sayed Mansur Naderi, head of the National Solidarity Party of Afghanistan, said Jamiat’s call for the removal of security heads is not in favor of the country. “A number of respected political movements are talking about the dismissal of the national security advisor Mohammad Haneef Atmar. This is not justifiable for the current complicated political and military situation in the country,” said Naderi. Political parties said that
that the downfall of the incumbent government would not be beneficial for the country in anyway.
For more information, see: “Political parties criticise Jamiat’s stance”, Tolo News
Bangladesh
Rise in FDI inflow
In a major boost to the economy, Foreign Direct Invest (FDI) in Bangladesh recorded a 4.38% growth in 2016. Bangladesh received $2.33 billion as FDI in 2016. Considering the overall global decrease in FDI Bangladesh’s performance has been impressive. In 2016, global FDI flows decreased by 2% to $1.75 trillion.
For more information see: “UN: FDI inflow into Bangladesh rises 4.38% in 2016”, Dhaka Tribune
EU slaps cargo curbs
Citing concern over the security standard of cargos at the airport European Union declared Bangladesh as a risk country and slapped a ban on direct shipment of cargo by air. Earlier Australia, the UK and Germany imposed a ban on direct cargo flights citing poor security at airport. The Ban is likely to imact exports to EU. EU is one of the biggest export destination for Bangladesh.
For more information, see: “EU slaps cargo curbs on Dhaka”, The Daily Star, 6 June 2017; “EU declares BD as high-risk countryOperation of cargo services”, The Financial Express
Expanding Sundarbans
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that the government is working on expanding the Sundarbans by creating artificial mangrove forest. She observed that the Sundarbans is important for the existence of the country and government is undertaking development projects keeping in mind of well-being of the mangrove forest.
For more information, see: “Govt working to expand the Sundarbans”, The Daily Star
Bhutan
NC stalls minerals policy
While the government approved the mineral development policy after eight years of contemplation, the National Council recommended halting its implementation until the Mines and Mineral Management Act get amended.
For more information, see: “
Council recommends mineral development policy to be halted”,
Kuensel, 9 June 2017
Princess Mako returns
Princess Mako of Akishino of Japan concluded her eight-day state visit to Bhutan and returned to Japan yesterday. During her visit in the country, The King and The Fourth Druk Gyalpo granted an audience to the Princess. The King also hosted a private luncheon at the Lingkana Palace.
For more information, see: “Princess Mako concludes visit”, Kuensel
New party in offing
Another new political party is in the making. Druk Kuenphen Tshogpa, is the second new emerging political party likely to enter the political scene in the 2018 parliamentary election. Jigme Dukpa, a retired civil servant, is the founder of the party. The party is symbolized by a logo displaying a bridge inscribed on a white background.
For more information, see: “Druk Kuenphen Tshogpa, second new party in the offing”, Bhutan Broadcasting Service
India
GSLV Mark III tested
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) crossed a significant milestone recently with the successful developmental flight of the country’s heaviest Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, the GSLV Mark-III. With the launch of the satellite, India now belongs to the elite club of countries that have mastered cryogenic technology.This is the first time a satellite weighing over 3.1 tonnes has been launched from India to reach the geostationary orbit about 36,000 km from Earth. The Mk-III can launch satellites weighing up to four tonnes, which almost doubles India’s current launch capacity.
For more information, see: “ISRO successfully launches GSLV MK III-D1 rocket carrying the GSAT-19 satellite”, The Indian Express
Repo rate kept unchanged
Reasserting the central bank’s independence, the Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee decided to keep the policy interest rate at 6.25%. Declining to meet the Finance Ministry panel for discussions on the monetary policy and keeping the RBI’s concerns for its ‘credibility’ in mind, the Committee remained focused on its commitment to keeping headline inflation close to 4% on a durable basis keeping in mind the output gap.
For more information, see: “RBI holds rates at 6.25% to preserve ‘credibility’”, The Hindu
Maldives
Human rights row back in UNHRC
Responding to criticism by 30 nations, led by the UK, the US and Germany, at the UNHRC, Maldives dismissed their demand for restoration of constitutional freedoms in the country as ‘unwarranted and unconstructive’, and said they were all “unduly attempting to affect domestic politics”. Maldives’ neighbours, India and Sri Lanka, nor any other SAARC member was among the signatories to the resolution, formally presented by the UK.
For more information, see: “Maldives slams UK-led criticism of human rights situation”, Maldives Independent, 8 June 2017; “Sri Lanka – Maldives joint action to curb illegal activity”, The Island, 10 June 2017; “Jailed ex-Maldivian Vice President’s health deteriorates rapidly”, The Island, 11 June 2017; “Opposition celebrates MP Mahloof’s release”, Maldives Independent, 10 June 2017; “Adam Azim arrested for ‘encouraging overthrow of government’”, Maldives Independent, 8 June 2017; “Ready work academically to eradicate terrorism: Maldives Islamic University”, Miadhu
Myanmar
Military aircraft crashes
Bodies and aircraft debris were found in the sea off the southern coast of Myanmaron June 8 by a navy ship searching for a military plane that went missing with 122 soldiers, family members and crew on board. Three bodies, including two adults and a child, were found some 35 kilometres (22 miles) from the southern coastal town of Launglon, the military said in a statement on its official Facebook page.
For more information, see: “Burma air crash: bodies, debris found”, DVB
200 migrants held in Thailand
More than 200 Myanmar migrants who were working in a chicken factory in Htamakan town in Thailand’s Kachanaburi Province have been arrested for working without permits, according to a Myanmar embassy official and a Thailand-based migrant aid organisation.
For more information, see: “208 Myanmar workers arrested in Thailand”, Myanmar Times
SEZ investments at $1.07-b
Foreign investment in Thilawa Special Economic Zone reached more than US$1.07 billion at end of last month, Thurein Aung, vice-president of Myanmar Japan Thilawa Development Ltd, has said. Japanese firms were the top foreign investors with 43.5 per cent or $468 million in outlays in the SEZ in southern Yangon, followed by Thai investors, with more than $134 million.
For more information, see: “Foreign investment in Thilawa SEZ tops a billion dollars”, Eleven
Nepal
Deuba sworn in PM
Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is caught in internal power-sharing tangle with factions led by two senior leaders demanding “respectable shares in the Cabinet”, may not induct any ministers from his party until the second phase of elections scheduled for June 28. Pressure started to build on Deuba over ministerial portfolios even before he was sworn in as the prime minister on June 7.
For more information, see: “Deuba may not induct NC ministers until June 28 polls”, The Kathmandu Post, 9 June 2017; “Deuba’s return to power: Can he prove doubters wrong?”, Republica
Law-change for local polls
Parliament on June 8 endorsed a Bill to amend the Local Level Election Act 2017 in a bid to ease the process for the agitating Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal to participate in the second phase of elections scheduled for June 28. With the amendment to the Local Level Election Act-2017, parties now need not necessarily submit the names and signatures of officials to the Election Commission (EC) 15 days before the nomination filing date to get recognised by the poll body.
For more information, see:” House amends Local Level Election Act”, The Kathmandu Post, 9 June 2017; “Govt amends poll law through fast track, RJPN unimpressed”, Republica
Goats, pigs from India
Live animals worth Rs 2 billion have been imported into Nepal through the Indian border town of Rupaidiha in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year. According to the Regional Animal Quarantine Office Banke, the imports consisted of 172,400 goats, 579 pigs and 221 tonnes of fish. In the last fiscal year, 163,700 goats were imported through Rupaidiha. The animals are shipped to major cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara and Birgunj.
For more information, see: “Animals worth Rs2b imported in 10 mths”, The Kathmandu Post
Pakistan
Three names for ICJ case
Pakistan will recommend three names to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on June 8 for appointment as
ad hoc judges to hear the case of Kulbushan Jadhav. According to Pakistani media, former chief justices Nasirul Mulk and Tassaduq Hussain Jillani and former Attorney-General Makhdoom Ali have been recommended to as ad-hoc appointees at the UN court. Indian and Pakistani agents will be also holding a meeting with the ICJ's President Ronny Abraham to discuss future proceedings in the case.
For more information, see: “Pakistan to recommend 3 names to ICJ as ad-hoc judges in Kulbushan Jadhav case”, The Economic Times
IS kills Chinese teachers
The Islamic State has said that is has killed two Chinese teachers that it kidnapped last month in Balochistan. Chinese officials who are “gravely concerned” are independently verifying the claim. The Chinese nationals who were language teachers in Quetta were kidnapped on May 24. Since then, Pakistan has devoted considerable effort in locating them and safeguarding other Chinese nationals in the country.
For more information, see: “Islamic State claims it killed two Chinese in Pakistan”, Times of India
‘No terror havens’
Pakistani diplomat Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary was laughed at an event in Washington DC when he stated that there were no terrorist safe havens in Pakistan. Chaudhary who also said that Mullah Omar never left Afghanistan to visit Pakistan, was ‘visibly irritated’ after the audience burst into laughter following his remarks. "There is ample evidence that while the operation was going on Haqqani network was being evacuated to safer location," the former US Ambassador to Pakistan said in the US.
For more information, see: “No terror havens in Pakistan, says top diplomat; audience bursts into laughter”, Economic Times
Sri Lanka
FM defends China ties
In his customary maiden overseas visit, new Foreign Minister, Ravi Karunanayake, defended to his Indian hosts, Sri Lanka’s decision to join China’s OBOR project. From the Indian side, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj explained the scheme to fund deep-sea fishing by southern Tamil Nadu fishers, to discourage them from entering the Sri Lankan waters for the purpose.
For more information, see: “Lanka defends China’s Belt and Road project”, The Island, 9 June 2017; “Sushma Swaraj tells Ravi Karunanayake: To end bottom-trawling by TN fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, India will spend INR 30 billion in three years to promote deep-sea fishing”, The Island, 11 June 2017; “Will cooperate with FAO to regulate unauthorised fishing: PM”, Daily Mirror Online, 6 June 2017; “Foreign Minister Karunanayake’s first official visit to India”, The Island, 11 June 2017; “Agreement signed on USD 318 million Indian line of credit”, The Island, 8 June 2017; “Govt. planning to hand over 60% of MRIA to India: JO”, Daily Mirror Online
Living beyond means: CB Governor
In a hard-hitting exposition, Central Bank (CB) Governor Dr Indrajit Coomaraswamy has said that the country was living beyond its means with recurring expenditure higher than its means. Earlier, Sri Lanka could get away with it all owing to long-term concessional loans from international funding agencies, but since 2010, it was exposed to international markets and rating agencies instead, he said.
For further information, see: “Sri Lanka has been living beyond its means: Governor”, The Island, 11 June 2017; “Navy earns over Rs. 3.5 bn for facilitating OBST”, Daily Mirror Online
Primary Documentation
Bangladesh
“Statement by H.E. Mr. Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, MP, Hon’ble Foreign Minister as the Chief Guest at the Reception Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of BIMSTEC”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 7 June 2017
Nepal
“Press Release issued by Embassy of Nepal, Beijing regarding Chengdu promotion program”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 9 June 2017
“Press Release”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 8 June 2017
“Press Release issued by Embassy of Nepal, Dhaka: H.E. Prof Dr. Bhusal, Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh arrived in Dhaka to assume his duty of office”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 8 June 2017
“Press Release issued by Embassy of Nepal, Beijing on signing of MOU between the Embassy and CSU”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 6 June 2017
Myanmar
“State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi meets prime minister of Canada Mr. Justin Trudeau”, State Counsellor’s Office, 9 June 2017
Bibliography
Afghanistan
Opinion Pieces
Rakesh Sood, “Retrieving ground in Afghanistan”, The Hindu, 8 June 2017
Aimal Faizi, “How Ghani’s appeasement towards Pakistan has worsened the situation inside Afghanistan”, The Indian Express, 9 June 2017
Gary Anderson, “Fighting season in Afghanistan”, The Washington Times, 8 June 2017
Bangladesh
Opinion Pieces
Shamsul Huq Zahid, “Budget: Fusion of vote and VAT?”,The Financial Express, 4 June 2017
Rahad Abir, “Rise of Islamism leaves its footprints on the secular culture of Bangladesh”, Wionnews.com, 7 June 2017
Zobairdur Rahman Soeb and Soumya Sarkar, “India, Bangladesh Must Tackle Transboundary Floods Together”, The Wire, 5 June 2017
Bhutan
Opinion Pieces
Dasho Kinley Dorji, “Monarchy-the strength of the Past, Present and Future”, Kuensel, 7 June 2017
Editorials
“Fiscal Incentives”, The Bhutanese, 3 June 2017
India
Opinion Pieces
C Raja Mohan, “Beware of Beijing”, The Indian Express, 8 June 2017
Arunabha Ghosh, “Here’s looking at you, India”, The Indian Express, 3 June 2017
Editorials
“Holding the rate: On RBI’s monetary policy decision”, The Hindu, June 8, 2017
Maldives
Opinion Pieces
N Sathiya Moorthy, “Maldives’ tilt towards China: Yameen’s innovative way of putting ball back in the court of the West”, www.orfonline.org, 7 June 2017
Myanmar
Opinion Pieces
Nehingpao Kipgen, “Post-Panglong, peace process challenges remain”, DVB, 5 June 2017
Kavi Chongkittavorn, “Global players seek role in peace process”, Myanmar Times, 5 June 2017
Nepal
Opinion Pieces
Ram Kumar Bhandari, “Rivalry in high places”, The Kathmandu Post, 9 June 2017
Trailokya Raj Aryal “Over to you, Mr Deuba”, Republica, 7 June 2017
Editorials
“Right of way”, The Kathmandu Post, 9 June 2017
“Divide and misrule”, Republica, 8 June 2017
Pakistan
Opinion Pieces
- Mudassir Ali Shah, “Kabul in a fix”, Dawn, 8 June 2017
Ajith Pillai, “Covering Pakistan: A reporter’s diary of a nine-month stint in Islamabad”, The Wire, 8 June 2017
Salman Shoaib, “Enough is enough”, The Express Tribune, 7 June 2017
Sri Lanka
Opinion Pieces
Kusal Perera, “Blame whom for what Sri Lanka is”, Daily Mirror Online, 9 June 2017
N Sathiya Moorthy, “Why India needs to re-calibrate relations with Sri Lanka”, www.orfonline.org, 9 June 2017
Malinda Seneviratne, “A separate State, anyone?”, Daily Mirror Online, 8 June 2017
Gamini Gunawardane, “Security of India and Sri Lanka indivisible”, The Island, 8 June 2017
Kelum Bandara, “Economics of Belt and Road”, Daily Mirror Online, 7 June 2017
S Venkat Narayan, “India, Japan propose Asia-Africa Sea Corridor to counter China’s OBOR”, The Island, 7 June 2017
Dayan Jayatilleka, “The Mangala map”, Daily Mirror Online, 7 June 2017
Jehan Perera: “Anti-Muslim violence: The puzzle of continuing impunity”, The Island, 6 June 2017
Ranga Jayasuriya, “Why Muslim leaders shouldn’t overplay an anti-Muslim threat”, Daily Mirror Online, 6 June 2017
N Sathiya Moorthy, “Nation at cross-roads, all round”, The Sunday Leader, 4 June 2017
Interviews
Kelum Bandara, “SLFP unity matter left for President Sirisena to decide: MR”, Daily Mirror Online, 6 June 2017
Contributors:
Afghanistan & Pakistan: Kriti M. Shah
Bangladesh: Dr Joyeeta Bhattacharjee
Bhutan & Myanmar: Mihir Bhonsale
India: Falguni Tewari
Maldives & Sri Lanka: N. Sathiya Moorthy
Nepal: Sreeparna Banerjee
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