Asia

Nepal calls for immediate release of Myanmar leaders detained after military coup
2Feb By Yusara AskariNo Comments
Asia

Nepal calls for immediate release of Myanmar leaders detained after military coup

Hours after Myanmar’s military seized power and imposed a one-year state emergency by detaining democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Nepal said that it is “concerned about the safety and well-being of the detained civilian leaders” and called for their release."We are equally concerned about the safety and well-being of the detained civilian leaders including President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and call for their immediate release," read an official statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The Ministry further stated that it is "closely following the developments in Myanmar"."Nepal has been closely following the recent developments in Myanmar. We believe that all parties involved will respect the will of the Myanmar people and hope that the
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China says India border row won’t be linked with bilateral ties: Report
31Jan By Yusara AskariNo Comments
Asia, China

China says India border row won’t be linked with bilateral ties: Report

Stressing on the importance of bilateral relations, China has said that the border issue with India will not be linked with the growth of overall ties with India.“The border issue between China and India shall not be linked with bilateral relations,” said Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, at a press briefing on Friday.His remarks came after Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on Thursday said that the relationship between India and China were at a ''crossroads'' and choices made by the two countries will have "profound repercussions" for the entire world."Experiences of the past have taught us the importance of stabilising our relationship (with China) even while adjusting to changes. From that, we can seek proper guidance that will be to the benefit of both na
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Strengthening of US-South Korea ties cause concerns in China: Report
31Jan By Grace TsoiNo Comments
Asia, China, World

Strengthening of US-South Korea ties cause concerns in China: Report

In an early sign of a strong alliance under US President Joe Biden, South Korea Defence Minister Suh Wook has announced that the annual spring military exercises with the US would be resumed this year and such actions have raised China’s concerns.As part of former US President Donald Trump’s “effort to maintain a truce he had struck with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un”, the drills usually held in March every year by the US and South Korea were either suspended or downsized since 2018. And in 2020, the drills could not be held due to COVID-19 pandemic.Soon after resuming office, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in a telephonic conversation with his South Korean counterpart Suh Wook assured Seoul of the US’ “ironclad” commitment to defend its long-term ally through joint defence work.Simil
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Omar Sheikh must not be permitted to evade justice in Daniel Pearl’s murder: US Justice Dept
29Jan By Grace TsoiNo Comments
Asia, World

Omar Sheikh must not be permitted to evade justice in Daniel Pearl’s murder: US Justice Dept

The United States Justice Department has said that Ahmad Omar Saeed Sheikh, the accused in the abduction and murder of Daniel Pearl, must not be permitted to evade justice“We are deeply concerned by the Pakistani Supreme Court’s ruling affirming the acquittal of individuals convicted by a Pakistani trial court for the kidnapping and murder of Daniel Pearl. Ahmad Omar Saeed Sheikh has long been indicted in the United States and must be held accountable for his crimes,” Acting Attorney General Monty Wilkinson said.“He must not be permitted to evade justice for his charged role in Daniel Pearl’s abduction and murder,” he added.Slamming the Pakistani court’s decision to acquit Omar Sheikh, State Secretary Antony Blinken said that Washington is ready to prosecute Sheikh in the United States for
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Farhan Majeed becomes Kashmir’s youngest qualified pilot
28Jan By Yusara AskariNo Comments
Asia

Farhan Majeed becomes Kashmir’s youngest qualified pilot

20-year-old Farhan Majeed from the Pulwama district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir has become the youngest Kashmiri to obtain the license of a commercial pilot.After passing his 12th class from Mantaqui Higher Secondary School in Pulwama’s Awantipora, Farhan joined the flying academy Global Konnect Aviation Services Pvt Ltd in Uttrakhand to get trained as a commercial pilot.“I received my license as a commercial pilot in November last year,” Farhan said.“There is an airbase of the Indian Air Force and we can hear the sounds of helicopters and other planes all day. This motivated me to become a pilot. I am very proud of being the youngest pilot in Kashmir to holds Indian Commercial Pilot License. All the credit goes to my family and God,” he said.“Everybody has the poten
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Violence-free DDC polls biggest achievement of our administration: J&K LG
28Jan By Yusara AskariNo Comments
Asia

Violence-free DDC polls biggest achievement of our administration: J&K LG

On the occasion of India’s 72nd Republic Day, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha said the holding of violence-free District Development Council (DDC) elections is the biggest achievement of his government.“The DDC polls that were held across Jammu and Kashmir in eight phases in November and December last year were the maiden elections since 1990 that were held without any intervention of separatists and militants. It was for the first time in the past three decades that none of the groups called for poll boycott and people came out to vote without any fear or threat,” Sinha said.“These elections were violence-free as security forces kept militants at bay. There were no threat posters, nor were the political workers and candidates targeted. It should not be construed that
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China building border walls with Vietnam, Myanmar to keep people out
26Jan By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
Asia, China, Conflict

China building border walls with Vietnam, Myanmar to keep people out

In a move which could lead to conflicts, China has decided to reinforce border walls with its South-East Asian neighbours - Vietnam and Myanmar."It looks like a national program," South-East Asia expert and emeritus professor Carl Thayer of UNSW Canberra said.According to Chinese state media Xinhua, the project in Vietnam involves a 4.5-metre-high iron fence, topped with barbed wire, along the Beilun River. Built between 2012 and 2017, the $29 million project reportedly stretches 12 kilometres, and is there to curb the smuggling of goods, drugs and people.Meanwhile, media reports suggest that a 659-kilometre-long fence has been completed along China's 2,000-kilometre border with Myanmar in December, in between China's Yunnan province and Myanmar's northern Shan State.While Global Times has...
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WHO chief lauds India for support to global COVID-19 response
23Jan By Grace TsoiNo Comments
Asia, World

WHO chief lauds India for support to global COVID-19 response

As India continues to send large consignments of its coronavirus vaccine to its neighbors, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus took to Twitter to express gratitude to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for continued support to the global COVID-19 response against the pandemic.“Thank you, India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for your continued support to the global COVID-19 response. Only if we #ACTogether, including sharing of knowledge, can we stop this virus and save lives and livelihoods,” Tedros said in a tweet on Saturday.India has supplied COVID-19 vaccines to its neighbors including Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.Large consignments of Covishield vaccine doses were flown in special Indian aircraft to Seychelles, Mauritius, and Myan
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India’s Narcotics Bureau nabs heroin smugglers with Sri Lanka-Pakistan links
22Jan By Yusara AskariNo Comments
Asia

India’s Narcotics Bureau nabs heroin smugglers with Sri Lanka-Pakistan links

Indian Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials in Chennai have caught two Sri Lankan Tamils who were the main conspirators in Rs.100 crore International drugs smuggling case.The two conspirators were living in Chennai by concealing their real identity.As per reports, the case is about a drug-laden vessel, ‘Shenaya Duwa’, that was intercepted by Indian Coast Guard in November last year, off the Tuticorin Coast in Tamil Nadu.99 packets of heroin, 20 boxes of synthetic drugs and five 9mm pistols were unearthed from an unapproachable location on-board the vessel, besides a Thuraya satellite phone set.The preliminary investigation had revealed that the drugs were transferred onto the Sri Lankan vessel ‘Shenaya Duwa’ on the high seas by a Pakistani dhow from Karachi and the contraband was meant
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‘India will not reduce troops unless China initiates process’: Rajnath Singh on Ladakh row
22Jan By Yusara AskariNo Comments
Asia, China

‘India will not reduce troops unless China initiates process’: Rajnath Singh on Ladakh row

Reiterating India’s stance on the eastern Ladakh standoff, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that the country will not reduce the number of troops unless China initiates the processHe also said India is developing infrastructure in border areas at a "very fast rate", adding China has objected to some of the projects."Reduction in the number of troops won't happen. India won't reduce troops deployment unless China initiates the process," he said in an interview.When asked about the dialogue process with China on the row, Singh said, "There is no deadline when it comes to matter like the ongoing standoff. You can't fix a date.""We are confident of finding a solution through talks," he said.About a news report that China was constructing a village in Arunachal Pradesh, the defence
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