South Asia

‘Myanmar Army trying to incite violence between Rohingya and Rakhine people’

Rohingya rights groups have expressed grave concern about an online propaganda war being stepped up by the Myanmar Army, the Tatmadaw, in Rakhine State.
Saudi Arabia angers India with independent Kashmir on banknote

India has complained to Saudi Arabia over a banknote that shows Kashmir as a separate country, in the latest protest over maps of the disputed region that have also targeted foreign media outlets and a social media giant.
Kashmir shuts down to protest India’s new land laws

Shops and businesses were shut in several parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir on Saturday as separatists challenging Indian rule called for a general strike to denounce new laws that allow any Indians to buy land in the disputed region.
Malaysian govt mulls issuing temporary work permits for undocumented migrants

Malaysia Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has said that the Malaysian government is considering issuing temporary work permits to undocumented foreign workers in the country in a bid to overcome the shortage of foreign workers in the oil palm and rubber industries.
Indian states asked to form bodies to coordinate Covid-19 vaccine distribution

Seeking to ramp up the infrastructure for Covid-19 vaccine distribution, the Indian government has asked states to set up committees for coordination and overseeing the vaccination with minimal disruptions in other routine healthcare services.
Myanmar civil society groups urge for Rohingyas' voting rights ahead of polls

Myanmar-based civil society groups today said the political disenfranchisement of Rohingyas is of “particular concern” and “closely tied to the denial of citizenship for Rohingya and related laws”.
India changes controversial land laws in disputed Kashmir

India has amended a law in Jammu and Kashmir allowing Indian citizens to buy land in the disputed territory, said officials, sparking opposition criticism about a steady erosion of the rights of Kashmiri people.
11 digital-only newsrooms of India form group to ‘build robust news ecology’

Eleven digital-only news organisations of India have united to form a body that would “represent, amplify and evolve best practices to build a robust digital news ecology that is truly world-class, independent and upholds the highest standards of journalism”.
India-US explore capacity-building activities in neighbouring third countries

India and the United States today explored possible capacity-building and other joint cooperation activities in third countries, including in India’s neighbourhood and beyond.
Feni river bridge linking Bangladesh, India to be completed in 2 months: Indian minister

Two important road connectivity projects, including a bridge over Feni river, linking Bangladesh with India will be completed in the next two months, a key Indian cabinet minister said today.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in New Delhi

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark T Esper arrived at New Delhi today for the third edition of the structured dialogue with their Indian counterparts which is aimed at strengthening defence and security ties and bolstering allyship.
Free food served to Rohingya refugees draws mixed reactions in Delhi

Three restaurants owners in east Delhi evoked mixed response on social media after they served food free of cost to Rohingya refugees at a camp in Jasola on the occasion of the religious festival of Navaratri.
Rohingya boy killed in landmine at Myanmar border

A Rohingya teenager has been killed in a landmine explosion on the Myanmar side of the border along Bandarban, said police.
Terror financing: Pakistan to remain on FATF grey list till Feb 2021

Pakistan will remain on the "grey list" of global terror financing watchdog Financial Action Task Force till February next year, the inter-governmental body ruled today citing Islamabad’s failure to meet six of the 27 mandates given to check terror funding.
India launches flash flood warning system for South Asian countries

India has launched flash flood guidance services for South Asian countries--Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka--with the aim of providing necessary products in real time to support the development of warnings for flash floods about six hours in advance.
India allows entry of foreign visitors after more than 7 months

India today allowed the entry of international visitors by relaxing visa restrictions for all foreigners with the exception of tourists.
Named after Liberation War predecessor, India’s warfare stealth corvette commissioned

India’s indigenously built anti-submarine warfare stealth corvette was today commissioned into the Indian Navy, carrying the same name as its predecessor, which made a stellar contribution to Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971.
Acknowledge Myanmar’s genocide against Rohingyas: Fortify Rights to donor govts

Donor governments seeking to raise a billion dollars in aid for Rohingya refugees should acknowledge the crimes perpetrated against them in Myanmar as genocide and crimes against humanity, rights organisation Fortify Rights said today.
Passenger train on Dhaka-Siliguri route from March next year on the cards

Bangladesh and India are planning to introduce passenger train on Dhaka-Siliguri route from March next year as restoration of Chilahati-Haldibari rail link will be completed by December this year.
At least 11 Afghan women killed in stampede near Pakistan consulate

At least 11 women were killed Wednesday in a stampede in an Afghan football stadium where thousands had gathered to apply for visas at a nearby Pakistan consulate, officials said.
Step up efforts to solve Rohingya crisis amid humanitarian response shortfall: UNHCR

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today stressed the need to redouble efforts to find solutions for the stateless and displaced Rohingya people.
Duterte says he can be held responsible for drug killings

The Philippine president has said he has no problem with being held responsible for the many killings under his anti-drugs crackdown, adding that he was ready to face charges that could land him in jail, though not charges of crimes against humanity.
CAA will be implemented soon: India’s ruling party president

India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party President Jagat Prakash Nadda has said the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, that gives Indian citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, will be implemented soon.
Chinese soldier captured in Ladakh: Indian defence ministry

A Chinese People’s Liberation Army soldier was captured today by India in eastern Ladakh where the troops of the two countries are locked in a six-month-old standoff.
9 Bangladeshis face charge sheets in India for human trafficking

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India has filed charge sheets against 12 people including nine Bangladeshi nationals for their alleged involvement in trafficking girls from Bangladesh to India for prostitution, an official from the agency revealed today.
Bus crash kills 16 in northern Pakistan

Sixteen people were killed when a passenger bus was forced off the road by a landslide in a mountainous area of northern Pakistan on Sunday, officials said.
Bangladesh invites Modi to join March 26 programme in person

Bangladesh has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Bangladesh on March 26 next year in person to jointly celebrate the Independence Day of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh, 3 other countries want Indian Covid-19 vaccine trials: Indian PM Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said there are requests to India from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Qatar and Bhutan for holding vaccine clinical trials in their countries.
UAE travel alert: Bangladeshis will need round-trip ticket to enter Dubai

UAE has asked airlines and travel agents to implement new procedures for visit/tourist visa holders flying into Dubai from five countries including Bangladesh, after hundreds of passengers stranded at Dubai International Airport since October 13 were flown back to their countries, Gulf News said in a report.
India to hand Myanmar Navy their first submarine

India announce it will hand over a kilo class submarine to Myanmar Navy, giving that country its first such warship.