Focus Neighbourhood: A new educational TV channel launched to provide support for schoolgirls in Afghanistan
A new educational TV channel launched to provide support for schoolgirls in Afghanistan Afghanistan Times | 12thMarch On March 8, 2024, the Begum Organization for Women (BOW) declared the official inauguration of Begum TV, an educational television channel with the aim of providing learning opportunities to Afghan schoolgirls and students who have faced education deprivation […]
Focus Neighbourhood: Maldives-China agreement is to obtain military equipment, to strengthen independence: Presidence
Maldives-China agreement is to obtain military equipment, to strengthen independence: Presidence The Edition | 6th March President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has revealed last night that the military assistance agreement entered into by Maldives and China concerns getting non-lethal military equipment and military training from China, and added that this would assist in further strengthening Maldives’ independence […]
Focus Neighbourhood: Bangladesh-India cooperation is necessary: PM
Bangladesh-India cooperation is necessary: PM Bangladesh Post | 27thFebruary Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said that cooperation between Bangladesh and India is necessary as they are close-door neighbours. She said this when the visiting Chief of the Air Staff of India Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari called on her at her Sangsad Bhaban […]
Focus Neighbourhood: Indian defence industry interested in partnering with Bangladesh: Pranay Verma
Indian defence industry interested in partnering with Bangladesh: Pranay Verma Prothom Alo | 20th February The High Commission of India in Bangladesh Tuesday organised a seminar in the capital city that highlighted the advances made by the Indian defence industry in the last decade and its interest in partnering with Bangladesh. Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma […]
Focus: Indo-Pacific | 21st February 2024
While Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto was the frontrunner to win Presidential elections, very few expected him to win by a big margin. Days after the win Indian PM reached out to Prabowo sending him congratulatory message. Prabowo reciprocated by agreeing to further strengthen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Prabowo is keen to purchase BrahMos missiles from […]
Focus Neighbourhood: Partnership with Bangladesh lies in efficient multimodal connectivity: Indian envoy
Partnership with Bangladesh lies in efficient multimodal connectivity: Indian envoy Bangladesh Post | 12thFebruary Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Monday highlighted the importance of ‘multimodal connectivity’ in unlocking the true potential of bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and India. “The future of our partnership lies in efficient multimodal connectivity – encompassing road and […]
Af-Pak Digest by Ambassador Sharat Sabharwal | January 2024
I Overview Pakistan: Political Situation Economy Army Chief Comments on the Political System Terrorism Continued Unrest in ‘Gilgit-Baltistan’ Pakistan-US Pakistan-India Pakistan-Iran Pakistan-China Afghanistan: Human Rights Situation Humanitarian Challenges Afghanistan-Pakistan Afghanistan-China Afghanistan-US Afghanistan-India UNSC Resolution on Afghanistan II Developments in Pakistan Political Situation The announcement of February 8 as the election date […]
Focus Neighbourhood: China ‘agrees’ on $2bn debt rollover to Pakistan
China ‘agrees’ on $2bn debt rollover to Pakistan The Nation | 31st January In a significant development, China has “agreed” on a rollover of $2 billion debt to Pakistan. According to sources with the finance ministry, the $2 billion debt will be rolled over before the maturity date on the existing conditions. Sources said that less […]
Focus: Indian Ocean Rim | 31st January 2024
In a major move, state-run carrier of Oman, one India’s key strategic partners in the Indian Ocean Region, has decided to increase number of flights to India to serve South Asia’s biggest market by reducing its flights to Pakistan-Sri Lanka-Bangladesh. The move comes less than two months after Oman Sultan’s visit to New Delhi. Tanzania, […]
Focus Neighbourhood: India, first country to back Sri Lanka’s IMF relief programme – IHC Santosh Jha
India, first country to back Sri Lanka’s IMF relief programme – IHC Santosh Jha The Island | 23rd January In overcoming the worst crisis in Sri Lanka’ s history, the country’s neighbor, India, became the leading backer of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) relief programme, India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha said. “Our desire […]