Asia

Undergoing global criticism over treatment of religious minorities in the country, Pakistan government received a jolt in the form of latest designation by the United States under its International Religious Freedom Act. Pakistan was among the 12 nations which were identified as “countries of particular concern" for religious freedom on December 2, 2022. The countries were so designated for having engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom. This is not the first time that the United States has called out the role of Pak government and other institutions in suppressing the identity and curtailing the rights of minorities.  Earlier, through a report on Human Rights Practices for 2021, the US Department of State had raised serious questions on the tre

Beijing’s ambitious objectives of expanding its influence in South Asia appear to be facing troubles thanks to rising anti-China sentiments in the region. People and politicians in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Maldives have been expressing their opposition to China’s policies and its presence in their countries. The ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, which led to the Chinese occupation of Hambantota port over non-repayment of loans, has added to the problem.The “predatory” lending for China-led infrastructure projects especially under the Belt Road Initiative (BRI) has become the major reason for the growing suspicion about China. In the past year, several anti-China protests have been held in Sri Lanka as the people of the island nation hold Chinese for the economic crisis. R

India has offered a credit line of USD 500 million to Sri Lanka to purchase petroleum products. Critical support by India follows a discussion between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Sri Lanka's Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, said the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka. India extended forex support of USD 900 mn earlier this month, High Commission added.