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

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

< style="color: #163449;">Soldiers surrender to Taliban

On  October 30, 41 Afghan National Army soldiers in Oruzgan province surrendered and gave up their military base to the Taliban, a trend that is occurring in other provinces as well. According to Dost Mohammad Nayab, the spokesman for the province’s governor, it was the third Afghan Army post in the province to surrender to the Taliban in the past week. Significant surrenders have been reported in Kunduz and Helmand Provinces as well. Ozuzgan province has been under siege for nearly two months, with its capital falling into Taliban hands four times. For more information, see: “Taliban gains ground in Afghanistan as soldiers surrender their posts”, The New York Times

< style="color: #163449;"> Joint operation claims civilians

Over 30 civilians were killed and many more injured in Kunduz province on 2 November during a joint Afghan and US military operation. Kunduz Governor Assadullah Omarkhail confirmed that they were many children among the dead including a three month old baby. The operation was successful in killing at least 14 insurgents although three Afghan commandos and two US special forces’ personnel were also killed. Ashraf Ghani issued a statement that stated he “was shocked after hearing the news of the civilian death toll and directed the security and defense officials and Kunduz governor to take all necessary steps during operations to prevent civilian casualties”. For more information, see: “Almost 30 civilians killed in Kunduz operation: Governor”, Tolo News

< style="color: #163449;">Taliban kills 26

Taliban fighters killed 26 abducted civilians in Ghor province on 1 November. Over 33 civilians were taken by militants when battles between the Taliban and Afghan security forces were underway on 2 November. The civilians who were abducted were all poor people from the area, mainly villagers and shepherds, and there were even children among those taken. For more information, see: “Afghan official: Taliban insurgents abduct, kill 26 people”, The New York Times

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

< style="color: #163449;">Attack on minorities

Hundreds were injured and around 15 temples vandalised following an attack on the minority Hindu community at Nasirnagar in Brahmanbaria district in eastern Bangladesh this week. This incident has raised serious concern about the safety and security of the minorities in the country and questions are being raised about the sincerity of the administration in curbing rising atrocities on minorities. For more information, see: “Nasirnagar communal attacks: Citizens point to govt failure”, Dhaka Tribune, 2 November 2016; “Planned attack 'to grab land'”, The Daily Star, 3 November 2016; “Jamaat men fuelled Madhabpur rampage”, Dhaka Tribune, 3 November 2016; “ Asked about attacks on Hindus, Bangladesh official goes militant in presence of minister”,  Bdnews24.com, 3 November 2016 ; “Administration blamed for Nasirnagar temple attack”, Prothom Alo, 1 November 2016; “Home minister defends police over allegations of negligence in Brahmanbarhia attack on Hindus”,  Bdnews24.com, 4 November 2016; “Miscreants set fire to 11 houses in Nasirnagar”, Dhaka Tribune

< style="color: #163449;">Forex reserves $32 billion

Maintaining a steady growth, foreign exchange reserves have cross $32 billion.  The money is enough to meet the import bills for the nest nine months. The currency reserves are growing for past few years and crossed the $31 billion mark on 1 September. For more information, see: “Bangladesh foreign currency reserves top $32 billion”, Bdnews24.com

< style="color: #163449;">ADB to lend $8 billion

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will lend $8 billion in the next 5 years to help the country to develop infrastructure. Following this ADB’s lending will go up by 60 percent.   The financial lending will help the country support economic corridor development, improve rural livelihood, and enable it to provide climate and disaster resilient infrastructure and services. For more information, see: “ADB to lend $8b in 5 years”, The Daily Star

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

< style="color: #163449;">Parliament to discuss BBIN vehicle pact

The 18^th session of the National Council (NC) will begin on November 10 and conclude on December 8. One of the issues on the agenda for the upcoming session will be the motor vehicle agreement among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN). For more information, see: “Six policy issues on NC’s agenda”

< style="color: #163449;">Govt lottery launched

Royal Bhutan Lottery Limited’s first-paper lottery scheme hit the domestic market, today. The monthly lottery scheme is known as “Phuensum Dharim”. The Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay launched the lottery scheme in Phuentsholing. For more information, see: “First paper lottery scheme hits domestic market”, Bhutan Broadcasting Service, 3 November 2016; “Monthly paper lottery offers Nu 1.5M+ in winnings”, Kuensel

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

< style="color: #163449;">Controversy over Bhopal shooting

A nine-minute audio clip believed to be from the police control room in Bhopal recorded on the day when the eight undertrial prisoners were gunned down in a police encounter, hours after their escape from the Bhopal Central prison, has raised questions about the entire episode. For more information, see: “Audio clip from police adds a twist to Bhopal ‘encounter’”

< style="color: #163449;">Suicide over OROP?

Post the political drama over the alleged suicide of retired Army subedar Ram Kishan Grewal, over controversies attending on the Government’s ‘One-post-one-pension’ scheme for ex-Servicemen, Congress Vice-Presidednt Rahul Gandhi and Delhi’s AAP Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attended the funeral ceremony along with several senior political leaders and workers from their parties. For more information, see: “Rahul, Kejriwal attend funeral of ex-serviceman in Haryana”

< style="color: #163449;">GST rates up

The rate and scope of GST has been agreed upon by the GST Council. The tax rates would range from 5 to 28 percent, with 12 percent and 18 percent as standard rates, - steeper than the rates of 6, 12, 18 and 26 percent earlier proposed by the government. For more information see: “GST rates will spare common goods : What's in store for the aam aadmi”, Business Standard For more information, see: India’s ‘Act East’ policy strengthens; Indian Navy’s INS Sumitra visits Australia, The Financial Express

< style="color: #163449;">Envoys’ ‘recall’ on cards?

Signalling a fresh slide in ties, Pakistan and India may temporarily recall their high commissioners and scale down the size of diplomatic staff in each other's missions in the wake of the latest diplomatic spat over the spying episode, a media report said on Friday.The latest spat started last week after a staff member of Pakistan's high commission in New Delhi was detained by police for questioning over espionage charges, the Express Tribune reported. The fresh slide in ties may also lead to a 'scaling down' of the strength of diplomatic staff by the two neighbours, the paper said. For more information, see: Pakistan, India may temporarily recall their envoys: Report, The Times of India

< style="color: #163449;">Modi to visit Japan

In a bid to strengthen bilateral ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Japan from November 11 to 12, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Friday. The visit is significant as it is likely to give both sides a new opportunity to take up the civil nuclear deal which has been pending clearance from the Japanese side. At the last Summit Meeting in December 2015 in New Delhi, PM Modi and PM Abe had outlined a Vision of Working Together for Peace and Prosperity in the Indo-Pacific Region and the World,” the MEA said. For more information, see: Indian Army denies 'incursion' by China after stand-off over construction work in Ladakh's Demchok,India Today

< style="color: #163449;">‘Globemaster’ near border

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on November 3 successfully landed a C-17 Globemaster, the US-made large transport aircraft, at the Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in Arunachal Pradesh. The move is aimed at calibrating India's response capabilities at the border with China. ALGs are airstrips close to the international border. They play a critical role in the defense of the border in remote areas, by enabling the armed forces to either quickly deliver troops to a particular region or supply rations to troops already stationed in remote areas. For more information, see: With eye on China, Indian Air Force lands massive C-17 Globemaster transport plane close to the border, The Times of India

< style="color: #163449;">Navy ship in Australia

In line with the ‘Act East’ policy of India, Indian Navy’s INS Sumitra today arrived in Australia for a three-day visit. INS Sumitra is an offshore patrol vessel that has docked in Sydney for the duration of November 4 to November 7. The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing maritime security cooperation between India and Australia.

< style="color: #0069a6;">Maldives 

< style="color: #163449;">Gasim backs Maumoon

In a none-too-unanticipated move, Jumhooree Party supremo, billionaire-politician, Gasim Ibrahim has extended support to the ruling PPM faction of former President, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, and against incumbent and the latter’s half-brother, Abdulla Yameen. With seven MPs in the 85-member Parliament identifying with PPM(Maumoon), and seven of the JP’s original 15 MPs still with Gasim, the Opposition, including MDP’s 21 remaining MPs are reported to be considering a no-confidence motion against Speaker Abdulla Maseeh, though they still fall short of the required simple majority by at least six votes. For more information, see: “Qasim announces allegiance to Maumoon”, SunOnline, 31 October 2016; “Gasim throws support behind Gayoom”, Maldives Independent, 31 October 2016; “Maumoon calls on Qasim at JP headquarters”, SunOnline, 30 October 2016; “Met JP to discuss on ways to establish a democratic environment in Maldives : Maumoon”, Miadhu, 30 October 2016; “Qasim Ibrahim requests the media to reveal the real situation of the country”, Miadhu, 30 October 2016; “Lawmakers push no-confidence vote on Maseeh, Riza”, SunOnline, 30 October 2016; “Gayoom-faction condemns Nasheed’s terror conviction”, Maldives Independent, 30 October 2016; “Eva, Ibu, Faisal re-registered in respective parties”

< style="color: #0069a6;">Myanmar 

< style="color: #163449;">IMF lowers forecast

Despite reforms by Myanmar authorities, the International Monetary Fund now projects that the country’s gross domestic product will grow by only 6.5 per cent in fiscal year 2016-17 (ending March 31), down from the 8-per-cent growth projected in May. For more information, see: “IMF lowers Myanmar’s growth forecast”, Eleven

< style="color: #163449;">Media ‘blocked’

Several international human rights groups have spoken out over what they allege is Myanmar government’s obstruction and harassment of journalists trying to cover the Rakhine crisis, including concern over the dismissal of a journalist working for a leading media outlet. For more information, see: “Rights groups claim Myanmar govt obstructing reporters from covering Rakhine crisis”

< style="color: #163449;">Japan offers $ 8 b

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced nearly US$8 billion in aid, loans and investment to promote development and reconciliation in Myanmar after talks with its de facto leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. For more information, see: “Japan announces a nearly $8 billion package for Myanmar”, Myanmar Times

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

< style="color: #163449;">Pranab visits Nepal

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Nepal marks an important event in Nepal-India relations. The visit ensures enhancing political, cultural as well as economic relations between the two nations. It comes in the backdrop of warming up of ties between the two countries after bilateral relations had hit a low point over India’s displeasure with Nepal’s new constitution and the subsequent undeclared border blockade. A long-time Nepal hand in New Delhi, Mukherjee is widely known in Nepal’s political circles. For more information, see: “Our support will always be there as Nepal embarks on federal democratic republic”, The Kathmandu Post, 3 November 2016; “Indian President's visit will further strengthen mutual relation: PM Dahal”, Republica, 2 November 2016; “Nepal keen to develop water connectivity with India”. The Economic Times

< style="color: #163449;">China trade up

The inflow of Chinese tourists as well as flow of Chinese investment has gone up in Nepal, while volume of bilateral trade has been growing every year.  Nepal-China Executives Council, a non-profit organisation based in Nepal, and the Chinese government on November 2 signed an agreement to work in collaboration to promote bilateral trade and investment in manufacturing, mining and agricultural sectors. For more information, see: “MoU signed to boost Nepal-China trade”

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

< style="color: #163449;">Imran calls off lockdown

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan called off his protest march originally scheduled for  November 2, a day before the scheduled lockdown of Islamabad. Khan called off the lockdown after the Supreme Court announced that it would set up a judicial commission to investigate corruption allegations against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PTI  workers were however disappointed and said that two factors forced him to pull back: a lack of widespread support and his decision to remain holed up at home during the police confrontations. For more information, see: “Pakistani Opposition Leader, Imran Khan, Calls off Protest”

< style="color: #163449;">Indian officials named

India-Pakistan relations have worsened after Pakistan released the names and photographs of eight Indian diplomats and staffers working in Islamabad calling them ‘spies’. Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told the press in Islamabad: “As you are aware, a number of Indian diplomats and staff belonging to Indian intelligence agencies RAW and IB have been found involved in coordinating terrorist and subversive activities in Pakistan under the garb of diplomatic assignments.” India now plans to immediately evacuate its diplomats for their own security. For more information, see: “Pakistan ‘breaks rule’; makes public names of 8 Indian diplomats, calls them spies”

< style="color: #163449;">SC to probe Panama papers

The Supreme Court has decided to form a single-member commission to probe revelations made in the Panama Papers that three out of four of Nawaz Sharif’s children hold off shore accounts. The Panamagate commission will be headed by an apex court judge. The individual will hold powers equivalent to the apex court.The Supreme Court also added that it was competent to probe the allegations as they fall under public importance and fundamental rights. For more information, see: “SC says single-member commission to probe Panama leaks after reviewing all replies”

< style="color: #0069a6;">Sri Lanka 

< style="color: #163449;">President for ‘impartial’ probe

President Maithiripala Sirisena has declared that investigations into the multi-billion ‘Central Bank bond scam’ would be impartial. This followed Parliament’s Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) found then Bank Governor, Arjuna Mahendran, guilty, and the Joint Opposition, identified with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, demanded the resignation or sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, for his role. For more information, see: “COPE probe will be impartial: President”, Daily Mirror Online, 3 November 2016; “Bond scams: Legal action will be taken – President”, The Island, 3 November 2016; “SLFP committee to review COPE recommendations”, Daily Mirror Online, 3 November 2016; “Perpetual Treasuries licence should be cancelled: JO”, Daily Mirror Online, 4 November 2016; “Arjuna Mahendran returns”, Daily Mirror Online, 4 November 2016; “Set up separate Court to hear bond scam: JHU”, Daily Mirror Online, 31 October 2016; “Loss due to Feb. 27 bond scam exceeds Rs. 125 bn – JO”, The Island, 4 November 2016;  “JO complains to BC against PM, Mahendran”, Daily Mirror Online, 31 October 2016; “JO calls upon CIABOC to probe Mahendran and PM”, The Island, 31 October 2016; “PHU demands RW’s resignation over CB Bond scam”, Daily Mirror Online, 31 October 2016; “JVP to petition SC over loss suffered by EPF due to bond scam”, The Island, 1 November 2016; “UNP picks holes in COPE report: ‘Calls for criminal investigation, forensic audit ignored’”, The Island, 1 November 2016; “UNP says prepared to amend laws to recover losses”, Daily Mirror Online, 31 October 2016; “Validity of UNP footnotes challenged by experts: COPE report on bond scam”, The Island

< style="color: #163449;">CM Wigneswaran goes to EU

Taking forward the internationalisation of the ethnic issue, Northern Province’s Tamil Chief Minister C V Wigneswaran has told a visiting European Union (EU) delegation as to how the armed forces continued to run schools in the Tamil areas, paying higher salaries to their women teachers even after civilian rule had been restored. He also questioned the suggestion of former President and Government’s peace secretariat head, Chandrika Kumaratunga for deploying the Northern Provincial administration’s women officials in police stations to intercede on behalf of their local counterparts. For more information, see: “CV complains to EU about SL army running schools”, Daily Mirror Online, 3 November 2016; “Ex-military officers condemn attempts to compromise national security”, The Island, 4 November 2016; “UK Minister for UN to visit SL”, Daily Mirror Online

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

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

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

State Counsellor receives Japanese Foreign Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 3 November 2016

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

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

“Press Release on the Meeting of the Presidents of Nepal and India”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 2 November 2016 “Press Release on the State Visit of the President of India to Nepal”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, 29 October 2016

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

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

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

Shashank Joshi, “A pivot through Kabul”, The Hindu, 1 November 2016 Rupert Stone, “The Afghan war”, The News International, 28 October 2016

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

“Why Afghanistan matters this election”, The Des Moines Register, 30 October 2016

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

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

Sarwar Jajan Chowdhury, “Bangladesh’s revised stand on SAARC summit”, Bdnews24.com, 3 November 2016 Ziauddin Choudhury, “secularity”, The Dhaka Tribune, 4 November 2016

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

“A calculated assault?” Dhaka Tribune, 1 November 2016

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

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

“Need to include media”, Kuensel, 31 October 2016

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

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

Avijit Pathak, “JNU’s enemy without, within”, Indian Express, 4 November 2016 Tahir Mahmood, “Faith And Its Limits”, Indian Express, 4 November 2016

1. Raja Mohan, India and Nepal must build on their unique political, social and economic ties, The Indian Express, 01 November 2016

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

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

N Sathiya Moorthy, “Realignment of forces in Maldives: All set for battle royale”, www.orfonline.org, 3 November 2016 Mohamed Junayd, “No justice for Maldives journalists”, Maldives Independent, 2 Novemberr 2016

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

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

Than Htut Aung, “Myanmar, one year after the Nov 8 polls”, Eleven, 5 November 2016 Sithu Aung Myint, “The UWSA needs to change”, Frontier Myanmar, 30 October 2016

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

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

Baburam Bhattarai, “OBOR, win-all”, Republica, 3 November 2016 Deepak Thapa, “Politics of caprice”, The Kathmandu Post, 3 November 2016

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

The Kathmandu Post, “Beyond the rhetoric”, The Kathmandu Post, 3 November 2016 Republica, “Welcome!”, Republica, 3 November 2016

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

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

“Pakistan’s power struggle behind its aggression”, Livemint, 3 November 2016 Imtiaz Gul, “Democracy there and here?”, The Express Tribune, 1 November 2016 Aasim Sajjad Akhtar, “The system wins”, Dawn, 4 November 2016

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

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

M S M Ayub, “Govt faces credibility crisis”, Daily Mirror Online, 4 November 2014 Neville Laduwahetty, “Unitary or federal: Words do matter”, The Island, 2 November 2016 Jehan Perera, “Transitional justice needs to go beyond war-related accountability”, The Island, 1 November 2016 N Sathiya Moorthy, “Jaffna students’ killing and after”, The Sunday Leader, 30 October 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
• Neighbourhood
• Neighbourhood First
• South Asia

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