Thursday, 27 April 2017

South Asia Weekly Report | Volume IX; Issue 38 | India pledges USD one biliion aid

India has recently completed long-pending infrastructure projects in Afghanistan.
Fishermen ferrying bricks across a river in Bangladesh
Photo: Scott Wallace/World Bank

COUNTRY REPORTS

Afghanistan

India pledges $1 billion aid

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 September during his second trip to New Delhi after assuming office. During the meeting India announced $1 billion development assistance towards reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. While India has recently completed long-pending infrastructure projects in the country, it will now further identify projects in the spheres of education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy and strengthening of democratic institutions. Both leaders discussed terrorism and regional security and agreed that terrorism was the single biggest threat to the region.

Police chief killed

Brig-Gen Zorawar Zahid, the police chief for Nangarhar province was killed on 11 September when his vehicle hit a roadside IED in Hesarak district. Speaking at his funeral, President Ashraf Ghani pledged to avenge the death. Zahid had previously served in Ghazni as police chief, leading numerous counter -insurgency attacks against the Taliban and ISIS in the country.

Peace deal soon

The peace agreement between the government and Hezb-e-Islami is set to be finalised soon, as promised by Ashraf Ghani during his Eid address to the nation. Hizb-e-Islami spokesman Nadir Afghan said that Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah had expressed reservations on some key elements of the recommendations submitted by his party, but added that the two sides have arrived at a consensus.

Bangladesh

29 die in factory-fire

In yet another incident factory fire more than 29 people had died this week. The fire followed after a boiler explosion at the Tampaco Foils Ltd. factory outside the capital, Dhaka. Factory safety has been a major concern in Bangladesh. The country has witnessed series of incidents of fire in the factories that caused hundreds of lives.

PM calls for battling militancy

 Conveying her Eid greetings to the people of the country Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged all to come together and raise their voices to fight militancy and terrorism. She further added that militancy is not the only problem of Bangladesh but it is also a global problem and countries have to take all necessary means to combat it.

India ties at new high

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Harshavardhan Sringla observed that India and Bangladesh ties have reached new heights and two countries are now keen in sub-regional cooperation in different sectors. Indian envoy made this comments during his three-day trip to Indian of Tripura.
For more information, see: Ties with Bangladesh at new heights: India

Bhutan

India okays trilateral project

In a first, Bangladesh will be the first country apart from India to invest in a major hydropower mega project in Bhutan, in the form of the 1125 MW Dorjilung project.This comes after India recently and informally agreed to the investment from Bangladesh in Bhutan.

Civil servants refute RCSC stand

Civil servants who say they are affected by the Royal Civil Service Commission’s (RCSC) reforms have refused to accept the commission’s stand of addressing the issue of stagnation and have suggested reverting to the old system or consider revisiting the current system to make it agreeable to both parties.
For more information, see: Civil Servants refute RCSC’s stand

India

PMs talk Nepal ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide ranging talks with his Nepalese counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on key issues including the political process in the Himalayan nation and ways to strengthen bilateral ties. The two sides reviewed the full-spectrum of relations during delegation level talks at Hyderabad House here, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Congress loses Arunachal

In less than two months, the Congress is back to square one and is yet again facing a battle of survival in Arunachal Pradesh. The political battle against the party has been launched by its own chief minister Pema Khandu who has the support of 43 other MLAs. Now, 44 out of 45 Congress MLAs in the state, including Khandu, have quit the Congress and joined the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA).

Two rescued from IS

Two Indians, held captive by the Islamic State in Libya since July 2015, have been rescued by the Misrata forces, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. A third Indian national, however, continues to remain in captivity and efforts are on to secure his release, the MEA said.”I am happy to inform that C. Gopikrishna (Andhra Pradesh) and T. Balaram Kishan of Telangana, who were captive in Libya since July 29, 2015 have been rescued,” External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted.
For more information, see: Two Indians rescued from IS in Libya

Cauvery riots end

The situation continued to be normal in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as no reports of violence has come from any parts of the states. However, the interstate transport through Karnataka border remained at standstill. The passenger buses are being plied only up to towns bordering Karnataka. Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu including the DMK, CPI and PMK have announced their support to the September 16 Bandh called by various traders and farmers associations against Karnataka’s stand on the Cauvery issue and the reported violence unleashed against Tamils and their properties in the neighbouring state.

Families informed

The Indian Air Force on Thursday communicated to the kin of personnel on the missing AN-32 plane that those on-board have been presumed dead and search operations have ended. Multiple aircraft and ships of the IAF, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard were scouring the waters in an area some 150 nautical miles east of Chennai, the last known location of the aircraft, braving high winds and choppy monsoon seas.

Maldives 

Row over reported Nasheed-Gayoom deal

After deflecting early claims of former President Mohammed Nasheed on a deal with predecessor Maumoon Gayoom to have incumbent Abdulla Yameen ousted, the Gayoom faction of the ruling PPM has denied all such deals when the MDP supremo flagged the same through a news conference from London with journalists in Colombo, on Skype.
For more information, see: “PPM denies talks between Nasheed and Gayoom”, Maldives Independent, 15 September 2016; “Statements made by President Nasheed about President Maumoon are lies: PPM”, Miadhu, 15 September 2016; “Ex-foes Nasheed, Gayoom join hands to unseat Yameen”, The Hindu, 15 September 2016; “Home Minister: President Nasheed does not have courage to come back to the country”, SunOnline, 15 September 2016; “MDP calls for the release of the members of their National Council”,SunOnline, 13 September 2016; “Transparency calls for ‘broad investigation’ after corruption exposé”, Maldives Independent, 13 September 2016

FTA talks with China

The final round of talks on the China-Maldives free trade agreement will be held in Hong Kong later this month. Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed said that the government hopes to sign the agreement before the end of this year.

Myanmar 

Suu Kyi seeks investments

Myanmarese leader Aung San Suu Kyi urged businesses to invest in the South-East Asian country in Washington DC on 15 September as a way to advance its democratic transition, a day after US President Barack Obama pledged to lift long-standing sanctions on the country.

US ready to lift sanctions

Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi called on September 14 for the lifting of economic sanctions against her country, and US President Barack Obama, in their first White House meeting since she became leader, said the United States was ready to do so.

Soldiers sentenced

A military court has handed down sentences of five years with hard labour to seven Burmese army servicemen found guilty of murdering local villagers in northern Shan State’s Lashio Township earlier this year.

Nepal

Karnali Project delayed

The time limit to organise funds for building the 900MW Upper Karnali Hydroelectric Project (PKHP) will expire on September 18, but the concerned government body, which is overseeing the project’s implementation, is still undecided as to whether the time limit should be extended as demanded by the project developer. A detailed plan to the Investment Board Nepal (IBN), needs to be submitted by the GMR by September 18.

Grant for quake victims

Of the total 43,000 earthquake victims entitled to the state grant for house construction, 38,000 have received the first instalment of the grant amount in their bank accounts in Ramechhap. According to District Development Committee Programme Officer and Reconstruction District Contact Person DipakSubedi, the DDC released 1.92 billion rupees in the names of 38,000 beneficiaries today. Some amount has been halted owing to technical problem which is being sorted out.
For more information, see: Grant for quake victims sent to bank

Pakistan

India’s charge

India has accused Pakistan of widespread human rights violations in Balochistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) at the UNHRC. During the session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, India said the main reasons for disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir was cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. In response, the UN Commissioner for Human Rights requested India and Pakistan to allow teams from his office to visit both sides of the Line of Control. On 15 July Pakistan had requested the United Nations human rights watch-dog to send a fact-finding mission to Jammu and Kashmir to look into what it believes are gross violations of human rights.

Train crash kills four

A Karachi bound train rammed into a goods train near Multan on 15 September killing four people and injuring over a hundred.  Local administration said that the goods train was stationary on the track after running over a man crossing the track where the Awami Express passenger train rammed into it.

Military exercise with Russia

Pakistan and Russia are expected to hold their first-ever joint military exercises later this year. The joint military cooperation, according to diplomatic sources, will be another step in the growing military cooperation between the two countries, whose bilateral ties have suffered for years due to the Cold War. A senior Pakistani official said that around 200 military personnel from the two sides would take part in the joint military exercises scheduled for later this year and that Islamabad is also considering buying advanced Russian warplanes.

Sri Lanka 

CBK for federal statute

Chairman of the Government’s National Reconciliation Secretariat and former President, Chandrika Bandaranaika Kumaratunga has called for a federal and semi-secular Constitution, even as reports indicated that five of the sub-committees working on aspects of a new statute have completed their work. Even as reports indicated that the new Constitution draft could be presented to Parliament, acting as Constituent Assembly, in November, the Joint Opposition identifying with former President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, rejected ‘federalism’, point-blank.
For more information, see: “CBK calls for a federal semi-secular constitution”, Daily Mirror Online, 15 September 2016; “Five out of six sub committees complete work”, The Island, 16 September 2016; “We are opposed to any type of federalism: JO”, Daily Mirror Online, 17 September 2016; “What if Jan. 8 transformation did not happen, President asks”, Daily Mirror Online, 9 September 2016; “MR says country should be governed either by MS or PM not both”, Daily Mirror Online, 14 September 2016; “Positive steps taken in SL: UNHRC Working Group”, Daily Mirror Online, 16 September 2016; “Paranagama Com. recommends Int’l technical assistance and observers”, Daily Mirror Online, 12 September 2016; “We hope to recruit more Tamils for Security Forces: PM”, Daily Mirror Online, 8 September 2016; “Govt and army cannot help officer convicted of killing escaping Tiger”, The Island, 16 September 2016; “‘Army now holds 10,000 acres down from 38,000 acres’….Jaffna troop strength drastically down before prez polls”, The Island, 16 September 2016; “Security forces: No more releasing of lands from Palaly cantonment”, The Island, 16 September 2016; “SL Security Forces will increase role in UN Peace-Keeping: Ruwan”,Daily Mirror Online, 13 September 2016; “Biswal holds talks with Tamil diaspora on reconciliation in SL”, Daily Mirror Online, 17 September 2016; “US to renew military logistical pact it signed with MR govt”, The Island, 17 September 2016

Sampur project dropped

The Government has dropped the India-aided, coal-fired power project at Sampur, Trincomalee, in the Eastern Province, the Supreme Court was told. The project was hanging fire after the predecessor Rajapaksa regimeand the incumbent Government have both dragged their feet after showing interest and commitment. The Tamil population, which was expected to benefit from the project, in terms of power-supply and jobs, also opposed the project, later on.
For more information, see: “Coal power joint venture with India dropped – govt.”, The Island, 16 September 2016; “Colombo has not conveyed its decision to drop coal power project to India”, The Island, 16 September 21016

PRIMARY DOCUMENTATION

Bhutan

Press releases

34 online G2C Services launched, Cabinet Secretariat, September 15, 2016

Myanmar

Press releases

Positive changes for Myanmar during State Counsellor’s meeting with Obama, State Councillor’s Office, September 15, 2016

Nepal

Press releases

Press Release on Rt. Hon. PM’s State Visit to India, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, September 16, 2016
Press Release on the Departure of The Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister to India, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, September 15, 2016
Press Release on The Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister’s State Visit to India, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, September 12, 2016
Press Release on DPRK Nuke Test, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal, September 12, 2016

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Afghanistan

Opinion pieces

Davood Moradian, A deeper friendship”, The Indian Express, September 15, 2016
Zarlasht Halaimzai, The world helped destroy Afghanistan. It must help Afghans rebuild it,The Guardian, September 11, 2016

Bangladesh

Opinion pieces

Palash Sanyal, We can’t afford to dawdle, Dhaka Tribune, September 10, 2016
Esam Sohail, Kerry hardly the last word in Washington-Dhaka ties, Dhaka Tribune, September 10, 2016
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