< style="color: #0069a6;">COUNTRY REPORTS
< style="color: #0069a6;">Afghanistan
< style="color: #163449;">Taliban attacks German consulate
An explosive-laden vehicle detonated near the entrance door of the German consulate in Balkh province on 10 November killing four and injuring over 115 others. The attack which took place in Mazar-e-Sharif province was carried out by the Taliban in response to the Afghan forces military operation in Kunduz. RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan reported that a spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry said on Friday that all of its two dozen staff escaped the attack "safe and uninjured" and were evacuated, while Afghan security forces and NATO special forces had "repulsed the heavily armed attackers”.
For more information, see: “Attack on German consulate in Balkh leaves 4 dead, over 100 wounded”, Tolo News
< style="color: #163449;">1.5 million migrants to return
Afghanistan is now taking in more Afghan migrants than all other countries put together. Officials believe that by the end of the year 1.5 million migrants would return to Afghanistan from Europe, Iran and Pakistan. Pakistan has flatly given Afghans a November 15 deadline to obtain legal documents like passports and visas — a near impossibility for most — or they will face arrest and deportation, which could lead to even greater numbers leaving Pakistan in the coming weeks. Europe on the other hand has signed a deal with Afghanistan than allows migrants to return in exchange for continuing economic aid.
For more information, see: “Afghanistan itself is now taking in the most Afghan migrants”, The New York Times
< style="color: #163449;">Ghani, Abdullah congratulate Trump
President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump for his win on 8 November. In a statement by the Presidential Palace, Ghani called the US an “essential and important strategic partner to Afghanistan”. He said that he hopes that the government of Afghanistan in close cooperation with the new president of the United States, would expand further and develop the relationship between both countries.
For more information, see: “Ghani, Abdullah congratulate Trump”, Tolo News
< style="color: #0069a6;">Bangladesh
< style="color: #163449;">Fencing can end border-killing
Major-General Aziz Ahmed, outgoing Director-General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), this week said that it is not possible to bring the border killing to a zero level unless there is barbed-wire fencing. He further informed that India has already erected barbed-wire fences along its border which Bangladesh could not. He highlighted that to reduce border killings there is need to erect barbed-wire fences, good vehicles and roads along the border. Barbed-wire fences need to be erected in the 150 yards from the zero line on each side of the border and the area is considered as no-man’s land. BGB Chief claimed that people venture near the fences thinking it zero line which leads to the border killing. Death in the border with in India is major irritant between the two countries and ignites emotion in Bangladesh.
For more information see:”
BGB chief blames border killing on absence of barbed-wire fence”, Prothom Alo
< style="color: #163449;">£13 million climate funds lost
Bangladesh will not be getting 13 million pound committed by DFID since country's climate change resilience fund (BCCRF) run by World Bank closes next year. The money was to be routed via World Bank. Department for International Development (DFID) committed the grant for Bangladesh, one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world, but the fund was returned since the BCCRF is to be closed before the fund will be released.
For more information see:
“Dhaka loses £13m climate funds”, The Daily Star, 11 November 2016; “Climate finance dispute prompts Bangladesh to return £13m of UK aid”, The Guardian
< style="color: #0069a6;">Bhutan
< style="color: #163449;">Indian notes accepted
Royal Monetary Authority has decided that the financial Institutions will accept deposit or exchange 500 and 1,000 Indian rupee notes from customers till December 15. The decision followed after India withdrew the 500 and 1,000 denomination Indian Bank notes since on the midnight of 9
th to control black money.
For more information see:
“Financial institutions to accept 500 and 1,000 Indian rupee notes until mid December”, bbs.bt,
< style="color: #163449;">Maize diet up
The Agriculture Ministry is urging people to change its diet and have maize instead of rice. The country produces maize in large quantity and the measure will help to reduce import of rice from India and greatly help in its exchequer.
For more information see:
“Agriculture ministry advocates for a change in the diet”, bbs.bt
< style="color: #0069a6;">India
< style="color: #163449;">Govt demonitises high-value currencies
In a short-notice address to the nation on the night of November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the immediate cancellation of existing high-value currencies in the denomination of Rs 500 and Rs 1000, to be replaced by new notes of the value of Rs 2,000 and Rs 500. This, he said, was being done to eradicate black money and also check on cross-border circulation of counterfeit currency, to fund anti-India terrorism and other illegal activities. The PM said that ATMs and banks across the nation would be shut down for a day, before resuming limited customer cash-withdrawals, which however began facing problems, as ATMs went dry and new-notes availability was also low.
For more information, see: ”Rs 500, Rs 1,000 currency notes stands abolished from midnight: PM Modi”, Indian Express, 9 November 2016; “The Great Cash Clean-up: Here is everything you need to know”, Indian Express, 9 November, 2016; “What is demonetisation and why was it done”, Economic Times, 9 November 2016; “Demonetisation: Arun Jaitley tells people to wait, says may take 21 days for ATMs to run normally”, Indian Express, 12 November, 2016; “Can’t understand political leaders’ reaction to demonetisation: Amit Shah”, Indian Express, 11 November 2016; “Celebration and confusion”, New Indian Express, 10 November, 2016; “Foreigners face tough time with RS 500, 1000 notes”, India Today Live, 9 November, 2016; “ATMs go dry soon after opening; queues continue at banks”, Indian Express, 11 November, 2016; “More pain in store for real estate, jewellery sector stocks”, Business Standard
< style="color: #163449;">‘No-first-use’ questioned
Stoking a controversy, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar Thursday questioned India’s No First Use (NFU) policy on nuclear weapons but then said that “this is my thinking” and the nuclear doctrine “has not changed” under any government. Speaking at a book-release function in New Delhi, Parrikar said: “Why a lot of people say that India has No First Use policy. Why should I bind myself to a… I should say I am a responsible nuclear power and I will not use it irresponsibly. This is my thinking.”
For more information see: Manohar Parrikar questions India’s no-first-use nuclear policy, adds ‘my thinking’, The Indian Express
< style="color: #163449;">More Tejas for IAF
The government will spend Rs. 67,000 crore on made-in-India military hardware, with a defence ministry panel today clearing the purchase of 83 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, 15 Light Combat helicopters and 464 T-90 tanks. Tejas manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited already has an order of 40 aircraft that it began delivering to the Indian Air Force this year. Today's Tejas order will cost the government Rs. 50,025 crore. The helicopters, to be bought both for the Army and the Air Force, will cost Rs. 2,911 crore. The tanks will be bought from the Ordinance Factory for Rs.13,448 crore.
For more information see: 83 Tejas, 15 Choppers, 464 Tanks: Government's Made In India Shopping List, NDTV
< style="color: #0069a6;">Maldives
< style="color: #163449;">Gayoom ‘no’ to Yameen
Hours after President Abdulla Yameen publicly called upon half-brother and court-sacked ruling PPM chief, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, a predecessor, the latter declined the offer for him to ‘lead and guide’ the former. “It’s an attempt at deceiving people,” Gayoom said in a statement.
For more information, see: “Gayoom hits back at Yameen’s call for guidance and unity”, Maldives Independent, 6 November 2016; “Maumoon commends PPM members for “no-choice attendance” to gathering”, SunOnline, 6 November 2016; “Army downgrades protection for Gayoom”, Maldives Independent, 4 November 2016; “Police enters former PPM Office with court order”, SunOnline, 6 November 2016; “Violence in Malé City tonight as well”, SunOnline, 7 November 2016; “Yameen faction ‘bribed and coerced’ state employees, supporters to attend rally”, Maldives Independent
< style="color: #0069a6;">Myanmar
< style="color: #163449;">Hydro-power report
The commission tasked with evaluating hydro-power projects on Burma’s Irrawaddy River has submitted its first assessment report to President U Htin Kyaw on November 11 meeting its projected deadline. The commission was formed on August 12, a week before State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s trip to China as Myanmar’s foreign minister. It was assigned to assess possible impacts of proposed projects on the environment, society, foreign investment, economy and water resources along the Irrawaddy River.
For more information, see: “Commission Submits Myitsone Assessment Report”, The Irrawaddy
< style="color: #163449;">Road work to be completed by year-end
The Kaladan multi-model transportation project, jointly implemented by Myanmar and India, is expected to be completed in December as quoted by media official of Myanmar Port Authority (MPA) on November 10. The project will boost trade between the two countries and help Myanmar to trade not only with India but also with other foreign countries, said a statement of the MPA. Myanmar and India signed the contract on Kaladan multi-purpose transportation project in 2008.
For more information, see: “Myanmar-India transportation project to complete in December”
< style="color: #163449;">China funding
China’s plan for a foothold on the Bay of Bengal, on Myanmar’s western coast in restive Arakan State, includes an industrial zone, oil refinery and deep-water port that could transform a sleepy, remote town of 30,000 into a thriving business hub. The plan for Kyaukphyu is central to Beijing’s ambitions in the region, but at sharp odds with local expectations.
For more information, see: “China’s Plans for Burma Town Hold Few Local Opportunities”
< style="color: #0069a6;">Nepal
< style="color: #163449;">Statute-change soon
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has remarked that the government would register the amendment proposal to the new Constitution before the end of current Nepali month Kartik — by November 15. Addressing a press meet organised at Singha Durbar to mark the completion of his government’s honeymoon period of 100 days on November 11, Dahal said the government would put forward the proposal by taking all sides on board.
For more information, see: “Constitution amendment proposal will be registered by Nov 15: PM Dahal”, The Kathmandu Post, 11 November 2016; “Constitution amendment proposal before Nov 15: PM Dahal”, Republica
< style="color: #163449;">India seeks currency details
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to provide details of the stock of Indian currency in denominations of 500 and 1,000 in the Nepali financial system. The RBI’s query comes two days after India pulled 500 and 1,000 rupee notes from circulation. Though the amount of banned Indian currency in Nepal’s formal financial system has been reported to be IRs 35 million, the stock of such bills with Nepalis could be much higher, say officials.
For more information, see:”
RBI asks NRB about amount of banned Indian notes in Nepal”
< style="color: #163449;">NIET on cards
The Nepal government is all set to establish National Institute of Engineering and Technology (NIET) with the aim of developing it into a world-class university. Organising a press conference on November 10, Education Minister Dhaniram Paudel said the workshop will be held from November 16-18 in Kathmandu. “The NIET has been envisioned as an autonomous body, which can grant educational degrees,” he said, adding that it, however, would not grant affiliation to other educational institutions.
For more information, see:”
Govt set to establish NIET”, The Himalayan Times
< style="color: #0069a6;">Pakistan
< style="color: #163449;">India ‘no’ to arbitration
The diplomatic tussle over the Indus War Treaty between India and Pakistan heated up on 10 November with India stating that it would not be a party to a court of arbitration process on Kishenganga and Ratle Hydro-electric projects. While India had asked for the appointment of a neutral expert over Pakistan’s objections to the projects first, Pakistan appealed directly for the formation of a Court of Arbitration (CoA) as it claims India violated the treaty that was brokered by World Bank in 1960. In this regard, India has lashed out at the World Bank for favoring Pakistan.
For more information, see: “Indus water tussle heats up between India and Pakistan”, Hindustan Times
< style="color: #163449;">Paris Accord ratified
Pakistan has ratified the Paris Agreement on Climate Change at a ceremony held at United Nations Headquarters in New York, becoming the 104th country in the world to ratify the landmark deal. Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN deposited the Instrument of Ratification signed by the President of Pakistan. "With the ratification, Pakistan has become 104th country to ratify the agreement, which entered into force earlier this month," the Foreign Office said in a statement on 11 November. Pakistan had signed the agreement on the first day of its opening for signature in New York in April this year.
For more information, see: “Pakistan ratifies Paris Climate Agreement”
< style="color: #163449;">Back home from Pakistan
Sharbat Gula, the Afghan woman, who graced the cover of National Geographic Magazine over thirty years ago as the face of Afghan refugees fleeing Soviet rule, has returned to Afghanistan. Gula, who is now 45 and a mother to four children, was jailed last month in Pakistan where she has lived for over three decades, for carrying a false national ID card. She was deported across the border in the middle of the night. Gula met with Afghan president Ashraf Ghani after she arrived in Kabul on 9 November.
For more information, see: “Iconic ‘Afghan girl’ returns home after 31 years, a symbol for her country’s tensions with Pakistan”, The Washington Post
< style="color: #0069a6;">Sri Lanka
< style="color: #163449;">Resolving ethnic issue is my obligation, says President
Resolving the ethnic issue to the satisfaction of the minority Tamils was his obligation, President Maithiripala Sirisena has said in an interview to the Indian newspaper,
The Hindu. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, meanwhile, said that some of the proposals of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) of the predecessor Rajapaksa Government, could be implemented.
For more information, see: “Solving problems of Tamils is my obligation: Sirisena”, The Hindu, 11 November 2016; “Some LLRC proposals can be implemented: PM”, Daily Mirror Online, 8 November 2016; “SC proposed on the lines of Constitutional Court: TNA-led House Committee recommendations out”, The Island, 11 November 2016; “Centre-Periphery relations report casting dark clouds, warns opposition”, The Island, 9 November 2016; “TNA seeks British intervention here”, The Island, 9 November 2016; “Tamil parties treading with care not to alarm majority community -PLOTE Leader”, The Island, 9 November 2016; “Govt. can’t control North, international intervention needed: Wigneswaran”, Daily Mirror Online, 11 November 2016; “Call for autonomous unit in North-East renewed: GTF seeks talks on proposal though not being included in Wijenayake Report”, The Island, 7 November 2016; “Sangaree questions TNA’s right to represent Tamils: Those rejected by people cannot question our rights – TNA”, The Island, 7 November 2016; “Tamil parties meet to map out next course of action: Killing of two Jaffna undergrads”, The Island, 7 November 2016; “LTTE and Southern extremists the same: CBK”, Daily Mirror Online, 7 November 2016; “Six more Aava group members arrested”, The Island, 7 November 2016; “SL aware of Lankans joining foreign terrorist organizations: IGP”, Daily Mirror Online
< style="color: #163449;">Budget for students
In his Budget for fiscal 2017, presented to Parliament, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake has proposed a host of measures aimed at assisting university and school students and the education sector as a whole, and said that the Budget aimed to “enable the entire population to participate in the "journey for development".
For more information, see: “Government calls it progressive budget”, The Island
< style="color: #163449;">Defence ties with India
At a meeting of the Defence Secretaries of the two countries in Colombo, Sri Lanka and India identified new avenues for future cooperation. In a separate development involving the larger neighbourhood, Sino-Sri Lankan relations developed diplomatic strains when the Chinese envoy in Colombo joined issue with Sri Lankan Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake over the latter’s repeated statements that Chinese credit to his country was costlier than had been made out.
For more information, see: “SL, India identify new avenues for defence cooperation”, The Island, 7 November 2016; “India and Sri Lanka hold fourth Annual Defence Dialogue”, The Island, 6 November 2016; “India, Lanka set up Joint Working Group on fisheries to find a permanent solution”, The Island, 6 November 2016; “Fisher leaders disappointed over outcome of talks with SL”, The Hindu, 8 November 2016; “India will retrieve 115 seized boats from SL: Minister”, Daily Mirror Online, 11 November 2016; “Foreign Secy rings Chinese envoy”, Daily Mirror Online, 8 November 2016, “China takes a hard line”, The Island
< style="color: #0069a6;">PRIMARY DOCUMENTATION
< style="color: #0069a6;">Nepal
< style="color: #163449;">Press Releases
“Press Release on recent media coverage”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 11 November 2016
“Press Release on the ratification of the BWC by Nepal”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 10 November 2016
“Press Release on the congratulatory messages from Rt. Hon. President and Rt. Hon. Prime Minister of Nepal to the President-elect of the United States of America H.E. Donald J. Trump”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 10 November 2016
“Press Release on the conclusion of the State Visit of President of India”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 4 November 2016
< style="color: #0069a6;">BIBLIOGRAPHY
< style="color: #0069a6;">Afghanistan
< style="color: #163449;">Opinion pieces
Florian Weigand, “Taliban no longer differentiate between diplomats and soldiers”, DW, 11 November 2016
“Doors slam shut for Afghan refugees”, The New York Times, 10 November 2016
Rupert Stone, “US elections: Why no mention of Afghan war?”, Al Jazeera, 26 October 2016
< style="color: #0069a6;">Bangladesh
< style="color: #163449;">Opinion pieces
Ibrahim Hossain Ovi, “Will Trump’s victory affect US-Bangladesh trade ties?”, Dhaka Tribune, 10 November 2016
M A Taslim, “Manna from China: Investment proposals aplenty”, Bdnews24.com, 5 November 2016
< style="color: #163449;">Editorials
Editorial, “Santals being denied their livelihood”, The Daily Star, 11 November 2016
< style="color: #163449;">Book Reviews
Book: -Bangladesh economy: A detailed view reviewed by Raihan M Chowdhury, The Financial Express, 10 November 2016
< style="color: #0069a6;">Bhutan
< style="color: #163449;">Opinion Pieces
Omair Ahmad, “Bhutan, the climate darling of the world, may be losing some of its shine”, Scroll.in, 10 November 2016
Katherine Kornei, “Tiny Himalayan country may not be as immune to earthquakes as thought”, Science Magazine, 4 November 2016
< style="color: #0069a6;">India
< style="color: #163449;">Opinion pieces
Mihir Sharma, “Don’t despair, liberals: Fight”, Observer Research Foundation, 10 November 2016
Ila Patnaik, “Show me the money”, Indian Express, 11 November 2016
Raja Mohan, How should New Delhi read The Donald in White House, The Indian Express, 10 November 2016
< style="color: #0069a6;">Maldives
< style="color: #163449;">Opinion pieces
N Sathiya Moorthy, “Yameen counting on divided Opposition, hoping for faction-feuds”, South Asia Monitor, 10 November 2016
Azra Naseem, “Party, like it’s real”, Maldives Independent, 6 November 2016
N Sathiya Moorthy, “Investment lessons for India from Sri Lanka & Maldives”, www.orfonline.org, 5 November 2016
< style="color: #0069a6;">Myanmar
< style="color: #163449;">Opinion pieces
Carl Bildt, “Global instability in the Trump era”, Myanmar Times, 11 November 2016
David Angeles, “A gauge for democracy: media freedoms under fire in the new Myanmar”, Myanmar Times, 7 November 2016
< style="color: #0069a6;">Nepal
< style="color: #163449;">Opinion Pieces
Yubak Dhoj GC, “Roadmap for an organic Nepal”, The Kathmandu Post, 11 November 2016
Kul Chandra Gautam, “Impeachment and impunity”, Republica, 9 November 2016
< style="color: #163449;">Editorials
The Kathmandu Post, “Real or gimmicky?”, The Kathmandu Post, 11 November 2016
Republica, “Trump’s triumph”, Republica, 10 November 2016
< style="color: #0069a6;">Pakistan
< style="color: #163449;">Opinion Pieces
Faisal Kutty, “Shocked about Trump? Look yourself in the mirror”, The Express Tribune, 10 November 2016
Yashwant Sinha, “On everything nuclear, Pakistan been far cleverer than India”, NDTV, 10 November
Khurram Hussain, “Trump vs Bush”, Dawn, 9 November 2016
< style="color: #0069a6;">Sri Lanka
Kusal Perera, “Regime change? Reading China right”, Daily Mirror Online, 11 November 2016
M S M Ayub, “SLFP split kicked off by GL”, Daily Mirror Online, 11 November 2016
Prof G L Peiris, ex-Foreign Minister, “Role of JO in Parliament: Appearance and reality”, Daily Mirror Online, 9 November 2016
Dr Dayan Jayatilleka, “Post-scam policy and politics”, Daily Mirror Online, 9 November 2016
Prof Rajiva Wijesinha, “Ignoring the sovereignty of the Sri Lankan nation”, The Island, 9 November 2016
Ranga Jayasuriya, “Sri Lanka barking up wrong tree?”, Daily Mirror Online, 8 November 2016
Jehan Perera, “Political commitment necessary until independent institutions get stronger”, The Island, 8 November 2016
W A de Silva, “Abolition of Executive Presidency: Is it warranted?”, Daily Mirror Online, 7 November 2016
Gomin Dayasiri, “We are in a right, royal mess: Is there a way out?”, Daily Mirror Online, 7 November 2016
N Sathiya Moorthy, “Sri Lanka fishers’ row: Old wine in older bottle, yet some beginning”, www.orfonline.org, 7 November 2016
N Sathiya Moorthy, “A victory for a confused and divided Opposition”, The Sunday Leader, 6 November 2016
< style="color: #0069a6;">Contributors:
Afghanistan & Pakistan: Kriti M. Shah
Bangladesh: Joyeeta Bhattacharjee
Bhutan & Myanmar: Mihir Bhonsale
India: Shubh Soni & Pushan Das
Maldives & Sri Lanka: N. Sathiya Moorthy
Nepal: Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury & Sreeparna Banerjee
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