By Kriti M. Shah
The recent killing of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mansour by a United States’ drone in Pakistan has caused a major upheaval in the relationship between the two nations. The attack, which took place in Balochistan without prior permission from the Pakistani government, has caused a familiar sense of outrage in the Pakistani establishment, reminiscent of the 2011 raid in Abottabad that killed Osama bin-Laden. The killing of Mansour is significant, as it not only deals a major blow to the Taliban insurgency, but also validates Afghan and US claims that the Taliban moves around freely in Pakistan, plotting and planning attacks against Afghanistan.
The US raid has set in motion a series of stern statements from the Pakistan civilian and military establishment, calling the attack a violation of the nation’s sovereignty and international law. Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan said that the strike would have “serious implications” for US-Pakistan relations. As he added, if every country targeted perceived threats abroad, “there will be the law of the jungle in the world”. The US is however, making no apologies with President Barack Obama calling the attack an important “milestone” in the US’ efforts to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan and has once again called upon Pakistan to deny terrorists a safe haven.
The killing of Mansour less than a year after he officially became the leader of the Afghan Taliban poses a major setback for the insurgency movement. It is a hopeful possibility that the new Taliban leader Mullah Haibattullah Akhunzada and other commanders will now feel more threatened and vulnerable, given the US’ determination in rooting them out with complete disregard for Pakistan’s territorial integrity. While in the short run, the killing may provoke a series of attacks and killing in Afghanistan; the hope is that now leaders of the group would be more amenable to peacemaking.
The fact that Mansour was travelling in Pakistan a few miles from the Afghan-Pakistan border also ends Pakistan’s game of plausible deniability regarding the whereabouts of the Taliban. The presence of Mansour within Balochistan is a major vindication for the Afghan government that have long claimed that the Taliban use Pakistan as a safe haven, often travelling freely within the country. Pakistan civilian and military leaders can no longer claim that the Taliban is not in Pakistan and will be further pressurised to act against their freedom.
However, embarrassed by the attack and failure of intelligence in learning about the US operation, Pakistan seems unable to learn from its mistakes. Over a week after the attack, the government has not answered questions related to the attack or provided any plausible explanation as to why Mullah Mansour was travelling in the country under a fake name with a Pakistani passport.
The government seems more interested in probing the role that Iran had in sheltering Mansour, given that the passport allegedly recovered from the scene of the drone strike, had an Iranian visa. Their lack of gratitude toward the US for taking out a known terrorist is not surprising given that the government made similar statements regarding infringement of their sovereignty and territorial integrity after the Bin Laden raid. In both cases, the government failed to provide a reason for why known fugitives and wanted-terrorists were living freely within their borders.
The only difference between the two attacks (on Mansour and Bin Laden) is the change in narrative that the government and military has attempted to propagate since 2011. While the military has undertaken operations in the northwest tribal areas of the countries, tackling terror and extremists groups threatening Pakistan, they have turned a blind eye towards those destabilising Afghanistan.
The Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network have been allowed to function freely within Pakistan. The Pakistani military has repeatedly stated their intention that they are doing everything they can to purge terror groups from their borders. Mansour’s killing in Balochistan is in sharp contradiction to the military’s story and embarrasses Pakistan greatly.
While Sartag Aziz, advisor to the Prime Minister on foreign affairs, has stated that Pakistan is committed to continuing efforts of reconciliation within the framework of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group, the time for peace is long gone. The attack is the beginning of a new message directed at both the Taliban and Pakistan that the United States will no longer tolerate the strategic challenge posed by the Taliban leadership by virtue of being in Pakistan.
While the US-Pakistan relationship is prone to ebbs and flows, the strike against Mansour signals that the US has given up on peace talks and, like the Afghan government, is willing to militarily deal with the Taliban. The blocking of the F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan unless it cracks down on the Haqqani Network is an example of the growing frustration of the US with Pakistan’s dilly dallying.
The thinning patience of the Afghan government and the United States with Pakistan is unlikely to change in the short term. While Ashraf Ghani has shifted from his friendly diplomatically outreach to Pakistan, the US seems to be taking the cue that is enough is enough. While Mansour’s death will not pave the way for reconciliation in Afghanistan, the US and Afghanistan must remain committed in its fight against the Taliban.
The Taliban’s rejection of peace talks and increasing closeness with al Qaeda and the Haqqani Network means the insurgency group is unwilling to give up the fight. The fact that the US is willing to cause a setback in its relationship with Pakistan, who it considers an ally, is demonstrative of the US commitment to Afghan stability. Pakistan, on the other hand must buckle down for a long summer of Taliban offensives, realize that reconciliation at this stage is impossible and begin to chart a new dimension of military engagement against the Taliban and the Haqqani Network. If it fails to do, it knows what will happen.
The writer is a Research Assistant at Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi.
By Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury
Birgunj, the second largest city after political capital Kathmandu, is the Nepal’s commercial capital and the main transit point for the country’s international trade. Around 60% of Nepal’s foreign trade passes through Birgunj, located in South Central part of the country in the Terai plains about 89 km South of the capital Kathmandu.
The other side of the border with India is Raxaul, a border town of east Champaran, Bihar, the most active entry point to Nepal from Patna and Kolkata. After four consecutive months of turbulence at the border till the first week of February due to protests by the Madhesis and unofficial blockade by ‘the southern neighbour’, Birgunj customs office has exceeded its monthly revenue target for the first time in six months signifying improvement in trade through the Birgunj-Raxaul border point.
According to statistics of the customs office, revenue collection for mid-March to mid-April 2016 stands at ₹7.31 billion exceeding the target by four percent. In anticipation of difficulty in meeting revenue collection target due to the embargo, the Department of Customs had reduced the target for Birgunj by ₹30 billion.
Interestingly, before the ‘unofficial blockade’, Birgunj customs office had been collecting ₹300 million a day in revenue while at present, the daily revenue collection stands at ₹250 million. Customs officials said the decline in revenue is mainly because traders switched to other customs points.
Despite Birgunj offering easy access for foreign trade, traders have opted Biratnagar, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj border points where the effect of cargo obstruction was less even during the time of blockade. Despite Birgunj offering easy access for foreign trade, traders have opted Biratnagar, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj border points where the effect of cargo obstruction was less even during the time of blockade.
Vehicle import is one of the main sources of revenue collection in Birgunj.
To control unofficial trade at this point of international border, the customs office has already taken several steps including revaluation of goods imported by traders and it has helped the customs office collect an additional ₹60 million in import revenue in the months of March and April. The customs office is hopeful to make up for the lost revenue by controlling undervaluation and smuggling.
When Prime Minister Bir Sumsher Rana first established a settlement in Birgunj, Indian Railways line had already expanded to Sugauli, close to bordering Indian town of Raxual. At the time, goods brought from Kolkata to Sugauli through railway used to be brought to Kathmandu on carts through the Birgunj-Bhimphedi route. This made Birgunj a key trade route.
After the Indian Railway expanded to Raxual and later to Amalekhgunj of Nepal, Birgunj further consolidated its image as the biggest trade route of the country. Linkage with the railway prompted industrialists to set up factories in the Birgunj-Pathalaiya region.
There are now nearly 1000 industries in the region. Owing to increased industrial and trading activities, Birgunj has been attracting an increased number of new residents. Paddy fields near the town are being plotted for constructing buildings. Urbanisation is clearly visible with the development of concrete buildings, petrol pumps, and vehicle workshops.
More so, the pace of urbanisation has gained its momentum since the establishment of the dry port or inland clearance depot (ICD) at Sirsiya more than a decade ago. Built with $802 million loans from the World Bank, Sirsiya dry port is the country’s first and only port with railway connectivity. It is operated by Himalayan Terminal, a Nepal-India joint venture company.
The dry port is directly connected to the sea port at Kolkata. In spite of a loading and unloading capacity of 70,000 containers annually, only 18,000 to 20,000 containers arrive here annually. Nearly 650 factories in the Birgunj-Pathlaiya Industrial Corridor import 50% of their raw material requirement through this port. Cargo from third countries also comes to Birgunj through this dry port. In fact, this dry port has played an important role during “unofficial blockade” according to the official of the port.
Consequently, the concept of ‘Greater Birgunj’ has come up to accommodate emerging urban areas. “The concept was floated with an objective of developing the area as the economic capital to lead the country towards high economic growth,” according to former Birgunj Chambers of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) President Ashok Vaidya. The proposed “Greater Birgunj” accommodates Birgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, Kalaiya Municipality of Bara and 35 other VDCs of two districts covering 600 sqkm area.
The concept holds significance given the fact that it incorporates major infrastructure, including dry port connected with Indian Broad Gauge Railway, ICP, proposed second international airport in Nijgadh, proposed Nijgadh-Kathmandu Fast Track and Simara-Kathmandu air link. However, entrepreneurs complain the government has ignored Birgunj’s development despite its potential to become a key industrial and trading hub.
Despite the presence of around 1000 industries in Birgunj-Pathlaiya area, the region has not been declared industrial corridor like the Sunsari-Morang Industrial Corridor. In 2005, Nepal and India signed an accord to build Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) on either side of the border at Biratnagar, Birgunj, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj. Under the agreement, there will be matching complexes on both sides of the border.
It was decided that the Indian government would build the ICP on the Nepal side too, and it would just have to provide the required land. The new ICP will house all the regulatory agencies such as immigration, customs, border security and quarantine along with other facilities including currency exchange, internet and cafeteria.
The construction work on the Indian side has already been completed while the speed has been slow on the Nepali side. Indian company named RITES is in charge of construction of the ICP. According to the official of the RITES stationed at Birgunj around 60% to 65% work has been done at Birgunj and it needs more time to complete the project as the turbulent phase at border has hampered easy flow of work.
Moreover, some cases of land acquisition have also halted the process. However, almost all the pending cases in relation to providing compensations have been solved according to the official. The officials of the ICP on both sides of the border are hopeful and believe that operationalisation of this ICP will bring remarkable change in Bringunj.
The writer is a Fellow at Observer Research Foundation, Kolkata.
Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mansour was killed in a drone strike by US forces in Balochistan, Pakistan on 22 May. At a press conference in Vietnam, Barack Obama said the fatal attack on Mansoor did not represent a change in US military strategy in Afghanistan, which is to help train Afghan forces. "We have removed the leader of an organisation that has continued to plot against and unleash attacks on American and Coalition forces, to wage war with the Afghan people, and align itself with extremist groups like al-Qaeda," he said.
For more information, see: Obama says Afghan Taliban’s Mullah Mansour dead
The Taliban named Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada at its new leader of the insurgency group in Afghanistan. Akhundzada, a conservative cleric in his 50s, lacks military credentials and served as a judicial leader during the Taliban government. The announcement on 25 May, came as a surprise to many Taliban commanders who were expecting Siraj Haqqani or Mullah Yaqoub to take over after Mullah Omar’s death.
For more information, see: Taliban name lesser known cleric as their new leader
Senior officials from Afghanistan, India and Iran signed a trilateral agreement in Tehran on 23 May which will see the three countries develop the Chabahar port. The agreement to develop Phase I of Chabahar port is seen as India's counter to the development of the deep-sea port of Gwadar, in Baluchistan in Pakistan that opens into the Arabian Sea, and will allow China access to the Indian Ocean. Addressing a joint press conference after the signing ceremony, Iranian President Hasan Rouhani said the new agreement was a symbol of cooperation between the three countries.
For more information, see: Afghanistan, India and Iran Sign Chabahar Port Agreement
A suicide bomb killed 10 people in Kabul on 25 May after the bomber struck a vehicle carrying court employees. The explosion which took place during the morning rush hour, in the western part of the city also wounded four people. The attack comes after the Taliban named their new leader.
For more information, see: Suicide bombing kills 10 people in Kabul, says Afghan official
At a meeting in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has promised visiting Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, help for her nation to achieve the status of a middle-income country. He has also directed Japanese officials to follow up on aid proposals from the visiting delegation.
For more information, see: Japan PM Abe assures Bangladesh of help to achieve middle-income country status
State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shahirar Alam has dubbed ‘false’ claims by the ‘Islamic State’ terror-outfit of presence in Bangladesh. There was however enough evidence to implicate domestic militant groups, the minister said.
For more information, see: “IS 'falsely claiming' attacks in Bangladesh,” Dhaka Tribune, May 25, 2016
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has said that her late husband and party founder, Gen Ziaur Rahman, and not ‘Father of the Nation’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had sought and fought for the nation’s freedom. The Sheikh, she said, was in Pakistan (prison) when the freedom war was on, she said.
For more information, see: "Zia, not Bangabandhu, sought independence: Khaleda”, bdnews.com.com, May 22, 2016; "HC: Khaleda must surrender within 2 months”, Dhaka Tribune, May 25, 2016; and “Awami League can play secular, religious or atheist to win over the people: BNP”, bdnews24.com, May 24, 2016
With the revision of the air services agreement between Bhutan and Myanmar, Bhutanese airlines can now exercise third and fourth freedom traffic rights and fifth freedom traffic rights.The agreement to this effect between the two countries was signed in Thimphu on May 24.
For more information, see: Bhutan and Myanmar revise air services agreement
King Jigme Keshar Namgyal Wangchuck granted an Audience to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand at Tashichhodzong. The Princess was escorted to the Dzong in a traditional Chipdrel ceremony to receive the Audience with the King of Bhutan.
For more information, see: His Majesty The King granted an Audience to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand
Addressing a rally in Saharanpur to mark the completion of two years of his government, Narendra Modi sought to showcase the government as accountable, pro-poor and clean, contrasting this with what he termed as the corruption and misgovernance of the UPA.
For more information, see: Government is accountable, pro-poor, says Narendra Modi
Maken termed Kejriwal as a “mini-Modi”, charging him with spending large sums on advertisements when residents of Delhi were reeling under water and power shortage. “The way PM Modi is spending crores on advertisements without concern for anyone, Kejriwal is also wasting the money of the people of Delhi”
For more information, see: Kejriwal wastes money on ads like Modi does, says Maken
The Indian Air Force successfully test-fired an advanced version of BrahMos land-attack supersonic cruise missile Friday at 1200 hrs at the Pokhran field firing range in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district.The flight conducted today met its mission parameters in a copybook manner and the weapon hit and annihilated the designated target, officials confirmed.
For more information, see: Indian Air Force successfully test-fires land-attack version of BrahMos cruise missile
Three militants were killed on Thursday as army foiled an infiltration bid in north Kashmir’s Nowgam sector. An army official said that on Wednesday evening they spotted a group of militants near the LoC at Tootmar Gali in Nowagam sector where the first encounter had begun. The army had reports that five to six militants had sneaked into the Valley through Tootmat Gali in the past week.
For more information, see: J&K: Three militants killed as Army foils infiltration bid in Nowgam sector
The Ministry of External Affairs moved to control the damage in India-Africa ties due to frequent attacks on African nationals which prompted the African envoys to cancel celebrations to mark the Africa Day event, organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).The Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Gen. V.K. Singh met a delegation of African diplomats on Wednesday and requested them to “continue with the tradition” of marking the event with suitable celebrations, sources told the media.
For more information, see: Death of Congolese student: Government seeks to cool African ire
India and Iran discussed terrorism-related issues even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi quoted a Persian couplet by Mirza Ghalib to describe bilateral ties during his first visit to Teheran: “Once we make up our mind, the distance between Kaashi and Kaashan is only half a step.” Indian investment in phase-1 will be in excess of USD 200 million, including $ 150-million line of credit from Exim Bank, an agreement for which would also be signed during the visit.
For more information, see: Modi visit: India, Iran seal Chabahar port deal, talk terror
The UK has granted ‘political asylum’ for jailed former Maldivian President, Mohammed Nasheed, now in London, for medical treatment, ‘political asylum’. In Male, the Foreign Ministry was quick in responding to reports in this regard, and expressed unhappiness over the British decision.
For more information, see: “Nasheed granted political asylum in UK”, Maldives Independent, 23 May 2016; “UK grants refugee status to Maldives ex-President Mohamad Nasheed”, The Hindu, 24 May 2016; “Government: If Nasheed was given asylum, actions of UK government is saddening”, SunOnline, 23 May 2016; “The Maldives Government concerned about reports of President Nasheed seeking political asylum”, Miadhu, 23 May 2016; “President: Even in asylum, should not weaken where others live”, SunOnline, 23 May 2016; “Male concerned about Nasheed asylum in UK”, The Hindu, 24 May 2016; “Without Nasheed, public peace will be ensured: Home Minister”, Miadhu, 25 May 2016; “Dhunya: Legal challenges are not unique to Maldives, but faced by EU as well”, SunOnline, 25 May 2016
An agreement will be signed with Pakistan next July for a $10 million credit line facility to strengthen the Maldivian military, Defence Minister Adam Shareef Umar said on return from Islamabad. The loan will be used to purchase military equipment and two aircraft, he explained.
For more information, see: “Pakistan pledges US$10m loan for Maldives military”, Maldives Independent, 28 May 2016; “Third round of China Maldives FTA discussions begin”, Miadhu, May 25, 2016
Chairperson of Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee Aung San Suu Kyi has said that she will allow all political parties that have parliamentary representation to join the Union Peace Summit.
For more information see: Suu Kyi invites any party with MP to peace talks
President Htin Kyaw has signed legislation revoking the Law to Safeguard the State against the Dangers of Those Desiring to Cause Subversive Acts, also known as the State Protection Law, according to Myanmar Radio and Television.
For more information see: President revokes state protection law
Burma’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it will relax visa rules for former citizens who left the country for political reasons, in a move that could affect thousands of exiles who settled in foreign countries during the decades of military rule.
For more information see: Govt to ease rules for ‘foreign’Burmese
The country came to a standstill on May 26 due to a strike. While private vehicles were able to ply the roads, the strike by public transport limited movements in the industrial sector and movement by the public at large as well. While a general strike for one day causes the country a loss of Rs 2 billion, a day's strike by public transport will cost the economy half that amount, or around Rs 1 billion, according to the latest report of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI).
For more information, see: Strikes bleeding national economy; Transport entrepreneurs adamant against hiked penalty; and Over 200 arrested for vandalism during strike in Valley
The fifth meeting of Nepal-India Joint Standing Technical Committee on Water Resources began in Delhi on May 26 to assess the progress made on ongoing irrigation projects, inundation and flood control. The two-day meeting is the first official engagement between the two countries after the cancellation of President Bidhya Devi Bhan-dari’s visit to India and recalling of Nepal’s Ambassador Deep Kumar Upadhyay.
For more information, see: Nepal-India irrigation meet begins
The government is importing an additional 3,000 tonnes of LP gas from Panipat Refinery of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) by May-end to improve supplies in the market. Earlier in April, IOC had urged Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) to import gas from its Panipat and Paradip refineries for few months after its refineries in Barauni, Haldia and Mathura failed to meet NOC's demands.
For more information, see: NOC importing additional 3,000 tons of gas by May-end
Pakistan confirmed that the drone strike carried out in Balochistan n 21 May killed Taliban leader Mullah Mansour. All indicators confirm that the person killed in the drone strike was Mansour who was travelling on a fake identity when targeted in a drone strike near Noshki district in Balochistan, Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, said during a press briefing.
For more information, see: Pakistan finally confirm Mullah Mansour’s death in US drone strike
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif in a meeting with United States Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale on 25 May expressed serious concerns over the US drone strike in Balochistan in which Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour was reportedly killed. The Army chief said the drone attack, which was a violation of sovereignty, was detrimental to Pak-US ties and regional stability and damaged peace efforts. Sharif added that Pakistan’s efforts, successes and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism are unparalleled.
For more information, see: Gen Raheel Sharif seriously concerned over violation of sovereignty by US
Pakistan vowed to continue working within the Quadriateral Coordination Group for reconciliation in Afghanistan, despite Mullah Mansour’s death. Sartaj Aziz said that, “Pakistan believes that a politically negotiated settlement remains the most viable option for bringing lasting peace to Afghanistan.…will continue to pursue the objective in close consultation with Afghanistan government and other members of the QCG.”
For more information, see: Pakistan reaffirms QCG role for Afghan peace
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will undergo open heart surgery in London on 31 May and is likely to remain hospitalised for a whole week after the procedure, his family announced. “PM Nawaz Sharif
For more information, see: PM to undergo open heart surgery in London on Tuesday
At a public function in Sampur, Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamde rebuked a naval officer in the presence of Governor Austin Fernando. Later, he blamed it all on Fernando, saying that the Governor had declined his request for taking him on board on a helicopter from an earlier venue – and for not having the chief minister’s name included in the programme for the Sampur function.
For more information, see: “EP Chief Minister’s tirade”, Daily Mirror Online, May 24, 2016; “It was Austin Fernando's fault: Nazeer”, Daily Mirror Online, May 24, 2016; “Wigneswaran takes over three portfolios”, Daily Mirror Online, May 24, 2016
The security forces gave up the search operations for around 100 people missing after heavy rains and floods led to a massive landslip in Aranayake in Kegalle district. The Met Office had described the rains as one of the heaviest in the country.
For more information, see: “Aranayake disaster: Search for over 100 to be abandoned”, Daily Mirror Online, May 25, 2016
< style="color: #000000">Princess Maha Chakri Srindhorn of Thailand visit’s Bhutan
Russia ASEAN Summit held in Sochi
Press Release on the Arrival of the DPM and Minister for Foreign Affairs in Tel Aviv
Rosa Brooks, The Magical Thinking of Killing Mullah Mansour, Foreign Policy, May 24, 2016
Dan De Luce and John Hudson, Obama Rolls the Dice With Killing of Taliban Chief, Foreign Policy, May 23, 2016
Catherine Putz, Hezb-e-Islami Moves Closer to final deal with the Afghan government, The Diplomat, May 18, 2016
Pauline Themesis, Cyclone Ronau: Lessons and implications for rescilient recovery, Dhaka Tribune, May 25, 2016
Syed Badrul Ashan, Our Hindu Problem, bdnews24.com, May 23, 2016
M. A. Taslim, Borrowing Overseas: Quo Vadis?, bdnews.com, May 22, 2016
Need to provide better services
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N. Sathiya Moorthy, UK grants political asylum to Nasheed – plays into Yameen’s hands?, ORF South Asia Monitor, May 26, 2016
N. Sathiya Moorthy, Yameen snaps ties with Iran, cites Singapore model of development, ORF South Asia Monitor, May 23, 2016
Saw Yan Naing and Kyaw Kha, A Fragmented Ethnic Bloc Impedes Suu Kyi’s ‘Panglong’ Vision, The Irrawaddy, May 20, 2016
Pity the children, The Kathmandu Post, May 27, 2016
Study in waste” Republica, May 25, 2016Hemant Ojha and Dil Khatri, Talking about trading, The Kathmandu Post, May 27, 2016
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Kamanthi Wickremesinghe, “Eastern Province chief loses his cool; whose ‘protocol’ got out of hand?”, Daily Mirror Online, May 27, 2016
Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, “Taken at the flood: Natural disaster, crisis of State”, Daily Mirror Online, May 25, 2016
G. L. Peiris, “Truth behind the debt-trap in Sri Lanka, as claimed by Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government”, Daily Mirror Online, May 25, 2016
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N. Sathiya Moorthy, “Reconciling to India, reconciling with India”, The Sunday Leader, May 22, 2016
Afghanistan and Pakistan: Kriti M. Shah
Bangladesh: Dr. Joyeeta Bhattacharjee
Bhutan and Myanmar: Mihir Bhonsale
India: Shubh Soni and Pushan Das
Maldives and Sri Lanka: N. Sathiya Moorthy
Nepal: Dr. Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury and Sreeparna Banerjee
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