Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe

Sri Lanka needs well-designed political and economic policy changes for long-term recovery

The government has taken steps to address shortages of fuel and gas to some extent when compared to the earlier situation which had long queues that stretched for kilometres outside fuel and gas stations. But a well-planned recovery plan still cannot be seen that can address the long-term food security issues. 

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Sri Lanka’s central bank chief threatens to quit, warns of disaster if political stability isn’t restored

In his press conference, the governor said that political stability was “paramount” and it was becoming extremely challenging to revive the economy in a country where the law and order situation was out of control

Nepal to push for large hydro projects with India during Modi’s visit

In the last decade, China, whose influence has grown significantly in Nepal, has bagged several hydro-projects in the country. However, Beijing’s influence, especially in the country’s hydropower sector, has likely hit its limit, as an energy-surplus Nepal looks for markets— which in this case are India and Bangladesh—for exporting its electricity

Sri Lanka in crisis: Government struggles to restore calm amid continued violence

The Indian High Commission in Colombo issued a statement denying rumors—without naming Rajapaksa—that “certain political persons and their family” fled to India.

India supports democratic transition in Sri Lanka, will aid economic recovery

“India will always be guided by the best interests of the people of Sri Lanka expressed through democratic processes,” the MEA spokesperson said

Bangladesh’s monthly merchandise exports over $4 billion for consecutive eight months

With the improvement of the Covid-19 situation worldwide, the global apparel supply chain is also recovering fast. As a result, exports from Bangladesh are growing at a faster clip

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa finally resigns as turmoil grows after clashes

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s supporters, armed with sticks and rods, attacked the peaceful protestors camping outside his official residence. This is the first time in the over a month-long protest that the clashes broke out between government supporters and protestors. Videos on social media showed Rajapaksa supporters beating and assaulting some of the protestors, and vandalizing the tents erected at the site

Local elections in Nepal: A make or break for the ruling alliance ahead of general elections

For both Dueba and Dahal, the local elections may give a sense of how their cadre, supporters, and general public judge the performance of the government and the unlikely ruling coalition

800 Pakistani Hindus left India after failing to get citizenship, says NGO; thousands more in line

According to Singh, there are 25,000 Pakistani Hindus in Rajasthan alone who have been awaiting citizenship, some for more than two decades.

Unnerved by Imran Khan’s rhetoric, Pakistan Army says it takes ‘strong exception’ to politicizing forces

Calling the practice of unsubstantiated, defamatory, and provocative statements/remarks “extremely damaging”, the Army said it expected everyone to abide by the law and keep the armed forces out of political discourse in the "best interest of the country". The statement came hours after Imran Khan, in a public rally in the northwestern city of Abbottabad, questioned the army’s alleged “neutrality”

Afghan women must cover their faces in public, orders Taliban, imposing more restrictions on women in public spaces

When the Taliban was ousted from power in 2001, Afghan women had made tremendous gains —including the right to education and work. Most of these gains have already been erased in the group’s eight months' rule now

Sri Lankan president imposes emergency again as political and economic crisis intensifies

With its economy in disarray and political elites squabbling for retaining their power, Sri Lanka seems heading toward a Lebanon-type crisis, a mix of prolonged political and economic uncertainty

Nepal invites bids from Indian companies for sale of surplus electricity

With the commencement of the Upper Tamakoshi hydropower project (456MW) last year, Nepal is expected to have around 600MW-800MW of surplus electricity this year. And, this will grow in the coming years as many small hydro projects are nearing completion

Pakistan issues demarche to India over Jammu and Kashmir delimitation report

Islamabad alleged that the exercise was done in a way to “disincentivize” the state’s majority Muslim population. Terming the exercise “farcical”, Pakistan said it was yet another step to lend “legitimacy” to what it called the “illegal actions” of August 2019, a reference to New Delhi’s move of ending the special status of the state

Bangladesh sends emergency medical supplies to crisis-hit Sri Lanka

At the handover ceremony, Momen described the supply of 65 types of medicines and equipment as an expression of solidarity and friendship between the two countries as Dhaka and Colombo celebrate 50 years of their diplomatic relations

Pakistan’s deteriorating security situation threatens ties with Afghan Taliban; 24 percent increase in militant attacks in April

“Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban are teetering on the brink of a major crisis,” Afandyar Mir, a senior expert at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), a Washington-based US government think tank, noted in a recent commentary. “After taking over the country, the Taliban gave the TTP de-facto political asylum. The TTP has used its improved political status in Afghanistan to step-up cross-border attacks and is now regularly sending fighters into Pakistan,” Mir said