< style="color: #0069a6;">COUNTRY REPORTS

< style="color: #0069a6;">Afghanistan

< style="color: #163449;">Parliament impeaches 7 cabinet ministers

The Afghan parliament has impeached seven cabinet ministers in four days, including foreign affairs minister Salahuddin Rabbani. Many ministers were summoned by the Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of parliament, to obtain clarification regarding their expenditure of the development budget. The parliament had earlier warned that ministers who failed to spend more than 70 percent of their budget would be dismissed. The government has reacted strongly to the move, raising concerns over the MP’s motivations for dismissing cabinet members and has referred the matter to the Supreme Court. For more information, see: “Questions raised over this week’s impeachment process”, Tolo News, 17 November 2016 and “Afghan govt reacts strongly as parliament dismiss 3 ministers”, Khaama Press

< style="color: #163449;">Bomb-blasts kill six

A suicide bomber stuck a vehicle in Kabul on 16 November killing six people and wounding several others. The attack on a government vehicle, which also killed one military official, was claimed by ISIS. The attack follows the suicide bombing on 11 November that took place at the German consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif that killed four people and wounded 128 people. The Kabul bombing came during the morning rush hour, as fighters intensify nationwide attacks on the Afghan government. For more information, see: “Afghanistan: Suicide bomber strikes in Kabul”, Al Jazeera

< style="color: #163449;">Trump victory helps ISIS?

The Afghan chapter of ISIS has claimed that the US presidential election and victory of Donald Trump will help them attract more fighters. “This guy is a complete maniac. His utter hate towards Muslims will make our job much easier because we can recruit thousands,” Abu Omar Khorasani, a top IS commander in Afghanistan, told Reuters. Trump has offered few details on his plans to combat various radical groups, including IS, the Taliban and al Qaeda. For more information, see: “ISIS in Afghanistan claims Trump’s victory to help attract more fighters”, Khaama Press

< style="color: #0069a6;">Bangladesh

< style="color: #163449;">Subs from China

The dream of transforming the Bangladesh Navy into three dimensional was fulfilled this week  as two submarines  from China was added to its fleet.  These submarines are the first in the history of Bangladesh Navy. With the induction capacity of the Navy has enhanced and expectation it play major role in the Bay of Bengal and secure its maritime borders.  will  for the first time in its history with a view to further intensifying monitoring in the Bay and enhancing the force's combat capability. Bangladesh paid a reported $203 m for the two submarines. For more information, see:  “Navy gets two submarines from China”, The Daily Star, 15 November 2016; “Two submarines added to Bangladesh armada”, Dhaka Tribune

< style="color: #163449;">Pakistan claims pre-war dues

After 45 years of independence Pakistan is seeking a payback after 45 years.  Pakistani media claimed that the country’s central bank has written to Pakistani commercial banks and development finance institutions, asking for details of assets and other dues receivable from Bangladesh and India. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) claims that dues pending from Bangladesh are $88 millions.  Bangladesh was liberated from Pakistan in 1971. Criticisng Pakistan’s move Bangladeshi Finance minister A M A Muhith said that the country’s is argue country and made a rogue claim on pre-war dues. For more information, see: “Pakistan scrounging for alleged pre-war dues worth $88m”, The Daily Star, 16 November 2016; “Muhith: Pakistani claims on pre-war dues rubbish”, Dhaka Tribune

< style="color: #163449;">PM on ‘climate-migrants’

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for global efforts to address the issue of climate-induced migrants to make the objectives of SDGs successful. “Unless, we address this challenge of climate-induced migrant issue appropriately, we would never be able to attain the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she said in her statement at the high-level segments of the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP-22) held in Marrakesh. For more information, see:  “PM calls for addressing migrant issue for SDG success”, ProthomALo

< style="color: #163449;">Joins International Solar Alliance

With the signing of the framework agreement on International Solar Alliance (ISA), Bangladesh has formally joined ISA. Deputy Minister for environment and forests Abdullah Al Islam Jakob signed the agreement during the Conference of Parties 22 (COP 22) in Marrakech, Morocco.  Following this the country has committed towards further promoting renewable energy, especially solar energy. For more information, see:  “Bangladesh Joins International Solar Alliance”, ProthomAlo

< style="color: #0069a6;">Bhutan

< style="color: #163449;">BBIN voted down

The BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement was voted down in the National Council on 15 November after two separate reports  based on which they had to decide either for or against the agreement: one from the government and the other from the NC’s legislative committee. For more information see: “NC rejects BBIN agreement”, Kuensel

< style="color: #163449;">Trade pact with India

The ongoing National Assembly session will pass the Trade, Commerce and Transit Agreement between Bhutan and India. The agreement was signed on November 12 by economic affairs minister Lekey Dorji and Indian commerce and industry Minister of State Nirmala Sitharaman in Thimphu. For more information, see: “Parliament to ratify Indo-Bhutan trade agreement”, Kuensel

< style="color: #163449;">Demonetisation hits exports

Farmers and exporters in Phuentsholing are taking a hit as a result of the demonitisation of INR 500 and 1,000 notes by the India which has led to cardamom and potato sales dropping drastically. Traders say there is less cash available for the export oriented business in Phuentsholing. For more information, see: “Exports hit by demonitisation”

< style="color: #0069a6;">India

< style="color: #163449;">Supreme Court concerned over hardship to people

The demonetisation of notes of higher denomination came under scrutiny of the courts with Calcutta High Court seeking a report from the government on steps taken to “alleviate the sufferings of common people”. The SC noted that long queues outside banks and post offices were “a serious issue”. For more information, see: “Govt gets judicial rap over demonetisation: Calcutta HC says no homework done, SC sees a crisis”,Indian Express, 19 November, 2016; Demonetisation: Distress messages go out from cooperative banks in rural India, Indian Express, 19 November, 2016; Demonetisation may help saffron surge past red in Bengal’s green bowl, Indian Express, 

< style="color: #163449;">Priyanka to campaign actively in UP 

Nehru-Gandhi scion Priyanka Gandhi will actively campaign for the Congress and play a “major role” in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls slated early next year. Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief Raj Babbar said, “It has been decided that she will campaign for the party in the state elections.“ For more information, see: “Priyanka Gandhi to play ‘major role’ in UP Assembly polls: Congress”, Indian Express

< style="color: #0069a6;">Maldives 

< style="color: #163449;">GMR paid $ 271 million compensation

Conforming to the order of the Singapore arbitration court, the Maldives Government has paid up $ 271 million to the Indian infrastructure giant GMR Group, for the unilateral cancellation of the Male airport construction-cum-concession contract, signed in 2010. The Government claimed that the GMR payments were made from internal resources of the public sector airport company, and reports indicated that it was done through a $ 140-m bond-issue by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) after the nation’s central bank denied any dollar-crunch caused by the payout. For more information, see: “Maldives pays US$271m in damages to India’s GMR”, Maldives Independent, 17 November 2016; ”GMR settlement funded via sale of USD 140 mn State bond”, SunOnline, 19 November 2016; “Central bank takes over dollar sales amid shortage”, Maldives Independent, 19 November 2016; “MMA: USD exchange rate will not go up”, SunOnline, 19 November 2016; “MPs recommend introducing income tax”, Maldives Independent, 19 November 2016; “Vice President departs to India for the inaugural ceremony of the Third Maldives Investment Forum”, Miadhu, 20 November 2016; “China donates 460,000 dollars for development in Male’”, Miadhu

< style="color: #163449;">War-of-words still on

President Abdulla Gayoom and half-brother predecessor Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, leading rival factions of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) have continued to accuse each other politically. Gayoom called the incumbent ‘authoritarian’ while the latter called the other ‘sick deer’ even as the Maumoon faction seems to be losing MPs and also billionaire-politician Gasim Ibhraim’s Jumhooree Party’s support for moving a no-confidence motion against Parliament Speaker Abdulla Maseeh. For more information, see: “Gayoom and Yameen continue war of words”, Maldives Independent, 17 November 2016; “More MPs abandon Gayoom, return to Yameen’s fold”, Maldives Independent, 10 November 2016; “Gasim denies role in no-confidence motion against speaker”, Maldives Independent, 13 November 2014; “Gayoom launches fresh legal bid to retake ruling party”, Maldives Independent

< style="color: #0069a6;">Myanmar

< style="color: #163449;">Govt sets up panel on Rakhine

The President’s Office announced on 16 November the formation of the State Counsellor Office’s Information Committee for real time releasing of information related to issues in Rakhine State. For more information, see: “Information Committee formed for issues in Rakhine State”, Mizzima

< style="color: #163449;">Rohingyas flee to Bangladesh

Hundreds of Rohingya Muslims are fleeing a military crackdown in western Burma to Bangladesh, trying to escape an upsurge of violence that has brought the total number of dead confirmed by the army to more than 130. For more information see: “Hundreds of Rohingyas flee to Bangladesh”, Democratic Voice of Burma

< style="color: #163449;">Upgrading trade ties

The ministry of commerce of Myanmar will upgrade the trade facilities of the country's border trade gates to meet Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) standards to promote trade, said an official of the ministry on November 12. For more information, see: “Myanmar to upgrade cross-border trade facilities”, Mizzima

< style="color: #163449;">China ties on Myitsone

As the commission tasked with reviewing the Myitsone hydropower projects along the upper reaches of the Ayeyarwady River submitted its first report to the president this past week, Chinese state media has assured the nation of the ongoing “friendly and cooperative” Sino-Myanmar relationship. For more information, see: “China continues to court on Myitsone project ahead of commission presser”, Myanmar Times

< style="color: #0069a6;">Nepal

< style="color: #163449;">China to open border routes

In a bilateral meeting at Lhasa, Chinese officials agreed to Nepal’s request for using the highways along the Nepal-Tibet border via Kerung at the moment, which would be accessed via other points in the future. The agreement will come into effect soon, a Nepali official said from Lhasa. According to reports this will make it easier for Nepal to take food and other essential supplies to Humla in the West and Olangchunggola in the East. For more information, see: ”China to let Nepal use Tibet roads”, The Kathmandu Post

< style="color: #163449;">Revenue picks up at Birgunj

Birgunj customs office’s revenue collection exceeded target by 6 percent for the period between mid-October and mid-November, thanks to increased imports of automobiles and petroleum products. The office collected revenue of Rs. 9.63 billion against the target of Rs. 9.07 billion. Mohan Bhatta, information officer at the customs office, said soaring imports of vehicles and petroleum products contributed to the jump in customs revenues. For more information, see:” Birgunj customs revenue collection exceeds target”, The Kathmandu Post

< style="color: #163449;">Army chief in Dhaka

Chief of the Army Staff Rajendra Chhetri has paid a courtesy call on President of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid in Dhaka, Bangladesh on November 16. According to Dhaka-based Nepali embassy the discussion has been around bilateral ties, matters of mutual benefits and friendly relations between the armies of the two countries among other issues as well. It is stated that the Bangladesh President had expressed concerns on the post-quake reconstruction projects in Nepal. For more information, see: “Nepal Army chief Chhetri calls on Bangladeshi President”, Republica, 17 November 2016; “Nepal Army Chief Chhetri calls on Bangladeshi President”, The Himalayan Times

< style="color: #0069a6;">Pakistan

< style="color: #163449;">Suicide-bomber kills 52

A suicide bomb in Khuzdar, Balochistan killed 52 people and wounded over a 100 others on 12 November. The attack took place in a Sufi shrine when hundreds of worshippers were inside the shrine. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack, according to a statement released to the local news media. Some Pakistani officials remained skeptical of the Islamic State’s claim. On 10 November, paramilitary troops reported that they had killed a key leader of the Jundullah, a Pakistani anti-Shiite militant group, in a shootout in Baluchistan. Police officials believe that the shrine bombing could be an act of retaliation for that killing. For more information, see: “Bombing at sufi shrine in Pakistan kills dozens”, The New York Times

< style="color: #163449;">Chinese trucks at Gwadar

Pakistani and Chinese officials gathered at Gwadar Port in Balochistan on 13 November to welcome the first convoy of trucks from China. The move symbolically inaugurates the new China-Pakistan- Economic Corridor that runs from Xinjiang province to Gwadar. The trade convoy passed 3,000 kms along the Karakoram Highway through western Pakistan after entering at the Khunjerab Pass, the world's highest paved border crossing.  For more information, see: “Pakistan, China jointly open new international trade route”, VoA

< style="color: #163449;">Army claims killing 11 Indian soldiers

The Pakistan army chief, Raheel Sharif has stated that the army killed 11 Indian soldiers after ‘unprovoked firing’ along the Line of Control on 14 November. Sharif said that the Pakistani army suffered the loss of seven of their soldiers in what has been a tense political time for both countries. General Sharif said that the army should be credited for its exemplary teamwork. For more information, see: “11 soldiers killed on Nov 14, says General Raheel Sharif”, Dawn

< style="color: #0069a6;">Sri Lanka 

< style="color: #163449;">Referendum for new Constitution

Ending a controversy even before it could gain any purchase, Government and Opposition leaders in Parliament declared that the new Constitution, now on the works, would have to be passed by a two-thirds majority, and also a simple majority in a nation-wide referendum, for it to become acceptable. The issue came up for discussion when Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe presented the reports of six sub-committees set up for working on various aspects of the proposed Constitution, to Parliament, which is also functioning as the Constituent Assembly, even as the House passed Budget-2017 by two-thirds majority. For more information, see: “New Constitution needs 2/3rd majority plus Referendum”, The Island, 20 November 2016; “JHU opposes referendum on new Constitution to be made”, The Island, 19 November 2016; “PM submits six subcommittee reports to Constitutional Assembly”, Daily Mirror Online, 19 November 2016; “Budget passed with 2/3 majority”, The Island, 19 November 2016; “Sri Lanka PM seeks pay rise for MPs”, The Island, 20 November 2016; “Prez, PM allege well-funded destabilisation project: JVPer leader castigates govt over waste, corruption”, The Island, 16 November 2016; “Current political stability is something we won’t get after five years: PM”, Daily Mirror Online, 17 November 2016; “If requested, President may seek a second term – Bandara”, The Island, 19 November 2016; “Mahinda urged to take over SLPF”, The Island

< style="color: #163449;">Sri Lankans in ISIS

Muslim political parties and community organisations in the country have joined issue with Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister, Wijedasa Rajapakse, after the latter told Parliament that at least 32 Sri Lanakans Muslims had jointed the ISIS terror-group. The Minister had also told Parliament that foreigners were propagating extremism to Muslim students in Sri Lanka in the guise of teachers. For more information, see: “Govt. alleges foreign extremists teaching at international schools: Thirty two Lankans with ISIS”, The Island, 19 November 2016; “Hakeem raps Wijedasa over ISIS remarks”, The Island, 20 November 2016; “Azwer demands withdrawal of controversial statement”, The Island, 20 November 2016; “Muslim Council deplores Wijedasa’s statement on ISIS”, Daily Mirror Online, 19 November 2016; “Joint statement of Muslim organizations on hate speeches and activities inciting racism”, The Island

< style="color: #0069a6;">PRIMARY DOCUMENTATION

< style="color: #0069a6;">Bhutan

< style="color: #163449;">Press Releases

Bhutanese delegation at the UNFCC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 17 November 2016

< style="color: #163449;">Bibliography

< style="color: #0069a6;">Afghanistan

< style="color: #163449;">Opinion pieces

Sune Engel Rasmussen, “ISIS in Afghanistan: Their peak is over, but they are not finished”, The Guardian, 18 November 2016 Florian Weigand, “Trump’s easy solutions wont work in Afghanistan”, DW, 17 November 2016 Annabelle Quince, “What is going on in Afghanistan and why is the US still involved?”, ABC News, 16 November 2016

< style="color: #0069a6;">Bangladesh

< style="color: #163449;">Opinion pieces

Mahfuz Anam, “Will Xi Jinping's visit to Bangladesh be a regional game changer?”, The Daily Star, 14 November 2016 Rupak Bhattacharjee, “Myanmar, India and Bangladesh could gain from energy cooperation”, Bdnews24.com, 15 November 2016 Muhammad Zamir, “Economic growth and the removal of poverty”, Dhaka Tribune, 18 November 2016

< style="color: #163449;">Editorials

“Santal rights are human rights”, Dhaka Tribune, 14 November 2016

< style="color: #0069a6;">Bhutan

< style="color: #163449;">Opinion Pieces

“Hydro Relations”, The Bhutanese, 12 November 2016 “We need to clean up our systems too”, Kuensel, 14 November 2016

< style="color: #0069a6;">India

< style="color: #163449;">Opinion pieces

Surjit Bhalla, “No proof required: Big bang or big thud?” Indian Express, 19 November 2016 Rajesh M. Kayal, “A taxman more friendly”, Indian Express, 18 November 2016

< style="color: #0069a6;">Maldives

< style="color: #163449;">Opinion pieces

Ibrahim Mohamed, “Maldives’ coral reefs: Latest victims of political power play”, Maldives Independent, 16 November 2016 N Sathiya Moorthy, “Now it’s Gayoom’s turn to lose another round to Yameen?”, www.orfonline.org, 15 November 2016

< style="color: #163449;">Interviews

Omkar Khandekar, “Faris shares his take on where it all went wrong”, Maldives Independent, 20 November 2016

< style="color: #0069a6;">Myanmar

< style="color: #163449;">Opinion pieces

Libby Hogan, “Still more questions than answers”, Democratic Voice of Burma, 18 November 2016 Deby Chan, “Memo to Myanmar’s leaders: Thick skins, not defamation suits, further free speech”, Myanmar Times, 18 November 2016

< style="color: #0069a6;">Nepal

< style="color: #163449;">Opinion Pieces

Avasna Pandey, “Where are all the women?”,The Kathmandu Post, 18 November 2016 Anjali Subedi, “Rethinking education”, Republica, 17 November 2016

< style="color: #163449;">Editorials

The Kathmandu Post, “Smell the coffee”, The Kathmandu Post, 18 November 2016 Republica, “Build on it”, Republica, 17 November 2016

< style="color: #0069a6;">Pakistan

< style="color: #163449;">Opinion Pieces

Sherry Rehman, “A bumpy road ahead”, Dawn, 17 November 2016 Talat Masood, “Turkey, the dependable ally”, The Express Tribune, 15 November 2016 Khurram Hussain, “Has CPEC now kicked off?”, Dawn, 17 November 2016

< style="color: #0069a6;">Sri Lanka

< style="color: #163449;">Opinion Pieces

K Godage, “Reconciliation should be fast-tracked”, Daily Mirror Online, 16 November 2016 Ranga Jayasuriya, “How would Trump presidency affect Sri Lanka?”, Daily Mirror Online, 15 November 2016 Jehan Perera, “Support of people cannot be taken for granted by their leaders”, The Island, 15 November 2016 N Sathiya Moorthy, “Whose Trump?”, The Sunday Leader, 13 November 2016

< style="color: #163449;">Interviews

Kelum Bandara, “Will strengthen relations with US under Trump: Mangala”, Daily Mirror Online, 15 November 2016 Kelum Bandara, “Basil on American intervention in the final phase of the war”, Daily Mirror Online, 15 November 2016

< style="color: #0069a6;">Contributors:

Afghanistan & Pakistan: Kriti M. Shah Bangladesh: Dr Joyeeta Bhattacharjee Bhutan & Myanmar: Mihir Bhonsale India: Shubh Soni & Pushan Das Maldives & Sri Lanka: N. Sathiya Moorthy Nepal: Dr Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury & Sreeparna Banerjee

• Neighbourhood
• Great Power Dynamics
• Neighbourhood
• November
• SAW
• South Asia

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