Author: Arif ArifArman

INTERNATIONAL DESK: In a significant development, the Government of India has earmarked a staggering INR 12 billion for the extensive expansion and modernization of railway infrastructure in the northeastern region of the country. This investment serves as a timely boost for the eagerly awaited first-ever Bhutan-India railway link. The ambitious 57.5-kilometer railway line will connect Kokrajhar in Assam, India, to Gelephu in Sarpang, Bhutan, and is projected to be constructed at an estimated cost of INR 10 billion, fully funded by the Indian government. The project’s anticipated completion date is set for 2026. Just a month ago, India’s External Affairs…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: With respect to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor which came into being at the G20 Summit in New Delhi on Saturday, US President Joe Biden has said that it is a “game-changing” regional investment. Biden said that this project is about more than just laying tracks. “I’m proud to announce that the U.S., India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, France, Germany, Italy and EU finalized a historic agreement for a new India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor,” the US President posted on X. “This project is about more than just laying tracks. This is a game-changing regional investment,” he added. The India-Middle…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: As India successfully wraps up day one of the G20 Summit on Saturday under its Presidency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the G20 stands resolute in its mission to deliver for global good. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, PM Modi wrote, “Under the collective commitment of its members, the G20 stands resolute in its mission to deliver for global good.” Meanwhile, the summit took an interesting turn when PM Modi along with World Bank President Ajay Banga, Brazil President Lula da Silva, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, and US President Joe Biden, posed for a group…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: India has something interesting in store for the delegates and their spouses at the G20 Summit in the form of handicrafts and handlooms from different states. Avaz Mohammed, an artist from Jaipur, Rajasthan will showcase a traditional art form ‘Lac bangle’. Lac bangle is an ancient traditional art form of Jaipur (Rajasthan). The red or green coloured bangles are essential during the marriage of the woman. The pink ones are worn during the festival of Holi. It is a kind of resin formed on the bark of the twigs of certain trees like Kusum or Pipal through the…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: What a uniformed General schooled in the pursuit of warfare has to do with a country’s economy, and whether the interim Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar, who is a former central bank chief, or even the interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, given the scale of the economic rot that has set in, ought to have chaired the meeting and sought to assuage the rattled businessmen are valid questions being asked by many. After all, it is common knowledge in Pakistan that all those appointed to the caretaker Cabinet mandated with holding elections are close to, and backed by, the…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: To showcase India’s reach in power conversation through Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions in any domain, ‘Jugalbandi’ has been set up at one of the pavillions at the G20 Summit venue in Pragati Maidan. ‘Jugalbandi’ is a free and open platform that combines the power of ChatGPT and Indian language translation models under the ‘Bhashini’ mission to power conversational AI solutions in any domain. High-quality conversational AI in over 50 Indian languages can enable all kinds of solutions by cutting through language and interaction barriers. With the help of Myscheme.gov.in, ‘Jugalbandi’ ‘ is already powering WhatsApp and Telegram chatbots…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said consensus has been built on New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Summit Declaration and announced its adoption. The Prime Minister, who is chairing the G20 sessions, congratulated the Sherpas and ministers who had worked towards forging the consensus. “I have received good news. Due to the hard work of our team, consensus has been built on New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Summit Declaration. My proposal is to adopt this leadership declaration. I announce to adopt this declaration. On this occasion, I congratulate my Sherpa, ministers, who worked hard for it and made it possible,”…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The United States and India on Friday announced the settlement of the last outstanding dispute at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over poultry products. India also consented to lower tariffs on a number of American goods, including frozen turkey, frozen duck, fresh and frozen blueberries and cranberries, dried and processed blueberries and cranberries, and fresh and frozen cranberries, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. According to an official release, the US Trade Representative, Katherine Tai announced on Friday that the United States and India have agreed to resolve their last outstanding dispute at the…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the European Union and other G20 partners are set to explore the shipping and rail transportation corridor, a formal announcement of which is expected today. Saudi Arabian experts believe that such a project with one of their biggest trading partners makes great sense. Faisal Abbas, editor-in-chief of Arab News, is in the national capital with the Saudi delegation accompanying the Saudi Arabian Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on his state visit to India. In an interaction with ANI, Abbas, said, “Of course, the…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The African Union has been made a permanent member of the Group of 20 countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday. In his opening remarks at the 18th G20 Leaders’ Summit, PM Modi invited the AU, represented by Chairperson Azali Assoumani, to take a seat at the table of G20 leaders as a permanent member. “With everyone’s approval, I request the AU head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member,” Modi said in his address. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar accosted President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: With its recent move of introducing a self-sovereign national digital ID for all its citizens of the country, Bhutan is demonstrating that technological innovation has no bounds, reported Bhutan Live. This innovative national digital identity system was created by Druk Holding and Investments, the commercial and investment arm of the Bhutanese government, which is also the driving force behind this ambitious project. Ujjwal Deep Dahal, the CEO of Druk Holding and Investments, asserts that the new system is anticipated to serve as the foundation for the complete digitization of the country’s services. “National digital ID is the platform…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Bhutan’s regional mushroom festivals have reignited community spirits as in addition to being exciting events are also powerful drivers for tourism and the development of the economies of the communities they represent and have grown popular over the years, Bhutan Live reported. Next month’s Bhutan Royal Highland Festival will be a great example of this occurrence. This event draws thousands of visitors, both locals and tourists and offers residents of Laya and other highland areas a vibrant platform to share their diverse cultures and customs. It’s not just a party; it’s also a place to make important personal…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday laid emphasis on resolving the outstanding issues between India and Bangladesh through talks at the official level. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said this during a media briefing about the outcome of the bilateral meeting between Modi and visting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “The Prime Minister of India expressed his deep gratitude to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her contribution in ensuring the existing peaceful situation in the North Eastern region of his country,” Momen said. The bilateral meeting took place at the official residence of the Indian prime…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday cited a G20 report prepared by the World Bank to highlight that India has achieved in just six years financial inclusion targets that would otherwise have taken at least 47 long years. “India’s leap in financial inclusion, powered by Digital Public Infrastructure! A G20 document prepared by the World Bank shared a very interest point on India’s growth,” he said on X. “India has achieved financial inclusion targets in just 6 years which would otherwise have taken at least 47 long years. Compliments to our robust digital payment infrastructure and the spirit…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Bangladesh and India on Friday signed three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s meeting with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi here. The MoUs are- Cooperation on Agricultural Research and Education between Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council and Extension of Cultural Exchange Programme from 2023 to 2025. The other MoU is between Bangladesh Bank and the National Payments Corporation of India for network connectivity to facilitate transactions in rupee and taka between the two countries. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said this while briefing reporters. (UNB)

INTERNATIONAL DESK: More than a hundred Tibetan refugees staged a protest in New Delhi on Friday, demanding that the “occupation” of their country by China be discussed during the two-day G20 summit in the city this weekend. Global leaders have started descending upon India’s national capital for the summit, including U.S. President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. China President Xi Jinping will not be attending the gathering and will instead be represented by Prime Minister Li Qiang. “China has captured our country, that is why we want to give a message that…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The Centre has proposed to construct a large barrage on the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh in view of the potential threats from a huge dam being built by China in neighbouring Tibet region, chief minister Pema Khandu informed the state assembly on Wednesday. A major concern During a zero hour discussion initiated by Congress member Lombo Tayeng, Khandu said China decided to build the 60,000-MW dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river (upstream of Siang) in its 14th five-year plan. Expressing concern over China’s mega dam project, Khandu said this would have a cascading effect on downstream countries…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: As India prepares to host the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9-10, its presidency’s commitment to fostering global harmony and green finance stands as a prominent testament. The country has given importance to global multistakeholder collaboration as a means to tackle common challenges like the climate crisis and shows the path of global harmony and green finance. When New Delhi rolls the red carpet for Heads of State from all across the globe, it will also be pertinent to see how the subject of green finance and its applications are taken up during the summit. For…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: China’s exports and imports fell in August, data showed on Thursday, as the twin pressures of sagging overseas demand and weak consumer spending squeezed businesses in the world’s second-largest economy. While the trade numbers beat analysts’ expectations, they show China’s manufacturing sector remains under significant pressure and that policymakers will need to focus on boosting domestic demand to shore up growth, after export orders and imported parts held back factory activity last month. Exports dropped 8.8% in August year-on-year, customs data showed on Thursday, beating a forecast of 9.2% in a Reuters poll and off a 14.5% drop…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday night said they have agreed to increase and strengthen trade and investment relations with Bangladesh. Describing Bangladesh a good and long-standing partner in South Asia, he said that they are intensifying their bilateral contact with Bangladesh. While speaking at a joint media briefing after his bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Lavrov said they also discussed the Rohingya crisis. He said they support the ongoing negotiations between Bangladesh and Myanmar for solutions. The Russian Foreign Minister also talked about flagship project- Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and laid emphasis…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said that the Hindu community in Bangladesh should not consider themselves as members of the minority community, reported Dhaka Tribune. She further urged them to live their life and enjoy equal rights in Bangladesh. “Why would you call yourselves a minority? There is nothing like minority and majority here. Rather, all citizens will live here enjoying equal rights. Don’t undermine yourselves as a minority. Why are you doing so when you are the people of this country?” she said. Sheikh Hasina highlighted this concern while exchanging greetings with the Hindu community…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: India will beat China in the next two to three years as the Narendra Modi-led NDA government is proactively working towards developing infrastructure along the 3,488 Km stretch of the Line of Actual Control, Border Roads Organisation chief Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry said today. Speaking exclusively to ANI, he said 295 projects have been completed worth Rs 11,000 crore in last 2-3 years. Comparing the ruling dispensation with the previous governments regarding infra development along borders, the BRO chief said that China started their push for infra development all along LAC much before India and a decade ago…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Microsoft researchers said on Thursday they found what they believe is a network of fake, Chinese-controlled social media accounts seeking to influence U.S. voters by using artificial intelligence. A Chinese embassy spokesperson in Washington said that accusations of China using AI to create fake social media accounts were “full of prejudice and malicious speculation” and that China advocates for the safe use of AI. In a new research report, Microsoft said the social media accounts were part of a suspected Chinese information operation. The campaign bore similarities to activity which the U.S. Department of Justice has attributed to…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Japan launched an H2A rocket on Thursday carrying a lunar lander that will attempt to make the nation’s first lunar landing, after three postponements in a week last month due to bad weather. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said the rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima at 8:42 am local time. On board, the rocket is JAXA’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM, whose tasks include demonstrating accurate landing techniques and examining moon rocks, reports Xinhua. The SLIM’s lunar landing is scheduled for early next year. If the…