Author: Arif ArifArman

INTERNATIONAL DESK: According to a UN report, the demographic imbalance in China is likely to have far-reaching implications for the economy including labour shortages, rising employment costs and weakened spending power which would be a drag on economic growth. China’s working-age population between 16 and 59 years has been falling by an average of 0.14 per cent annually between 2011 and 2022 and the annual average decrease is expected to decelerate further to 0.83 per cent between 2022 and 2035. The working-age population fell to 62 per cent of the population at the end of 2022 from 62.5 per cent…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: In order to explore opportunities for expansion of bilateral cooperation between the two countries on election matters, Chief Election Commissioner of India Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday (today) held productive discussions with the Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan Dasho Sonam Topgay in Bhutan. The discussions took place at Democracy House, Thimphu, Bhutan today. According to an official press release by the Election Commission of India, the visit to Bhutan by CEC Rajiv Kumar happened almost after a decade, on the invitation of the CEC of Bhutan to further strengthen the cooperation between the two EMBs. During the visit, Chief…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting to be held in Srinagar from May 22 to 24 is an unprecedented opportunity for Jammu and Kashmir to showcase its tourism potential to the world. As Union Tourism Secretary Arvind Singh rightly pointed out, the tourism sector is providing an unparalleled opportunity to highlight the country’s tourism offerings and share its success stories on the global stage. This event, to be attended by over 100 international delegates and 50-100 Indian members, will be the first major international event to be held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in August…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: On 24 May Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will host the 2023 Quad Leaders’ Summit in Sydney. It will be the first time Australia has hosted the Quad Leaders’ Summit and follows the Prime Minister’s attendance at the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo in May 2022. It will be the third in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “I am honoured to host the first ever Quad Leaders’ Summit in Australia in Sydney.” PM Albanese looks forward to welcoming his Quad counterparts to Australia for the Summit. These visits build on the meetings the Prime Minister has…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: India participated in the Ninth BRICS Middle East North Africa (MENA) Meeting, on Wednesday, in Cape Town, under the chairmanship of South Africa. During the meeting, the member countries exchanged views on hotspots and the overall regional situation. On Twitter, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “BRICS Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) met today in a hybrid format in Cape Town, under the chairmanship of South Africa. Members exchanged views on hotspots and overall regional situation.” During the meeting, they noted that rising global instability and uncertainties…

Mosharraf Zaidi: Three urgent national crises will remain unaddressed no matter who comes out on top in the political and institutional free-for-all battle royale that currently rages among Pakistan’s elite. The reason for this is simple, none of the key actors in the political spectrum, none of the Supreme Court judges and no individual civil servant, none among the twos, three-or-four-star generals, nor any of the BPS 22 secretaries has any interest in addressing these three urgent national crises. Regardless of who ends up ‘winning’ the current set of battles, Pakistanis will continue to suffer from living in a country…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Taiwan and the U.S. have signed two deals worth close to $420 million for maintaining fighter aircraft operated by the self-governing island that China considers its own territory. Based on the agreement, around $323 million will be allocated for a parts contract that runs through March 2028, according to a local news report. The smaller deal, which runs through June 2027, covers nonstandard parts and aviation materials. The deals were signed on Sunday. Taiwan has relied on the U.S. for air defense capability to secure its airspace and prepare for a possible Chinese invasion. China has been ramping…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The recent imposition of a USD 2.48 million fine by a Pakistan civil court on China National Petroleum Corporation for allegedly violating the contract signed with the Petroleum Exploration (Pvt.) Ltd. has again brought forth the increasing economic mistrust between the two countries accentuated by the financial crisis in Pakistan. Already many projects under the CPEC, like the Main Line1 (ML-I) railway line between Karachi and Peshawar and the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), have been stalled and have become financial liabilities. There have also been unresolved differences between the two governments, which have stalled many projects. China has…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The third batch of another 135 stranded Indians, aboard the second IAF C-130J aircraft that had left strife-torn Sudan on Wednesday has reached Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah. Earlier today, Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, received the second batch of the 148 evacuated Indians as the first IAF C-130J reached Jeddah airport. The naval vessel INS Sumedha reached Jeddah port with 278 evacuated passengers today as well “#OperationKaveri in full swing. The second IAF C-130J flight departs Port Sudan for Jeddah, carrying another 135 passengers. This is the third batch of evacuees under #OperationKaveri,” MEA had tweeted.…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: A two day long Tsükhenyie 2023 (Chakhesang tribal festival) culminated today with traditional gaiety at Pfutseromi village under Phek district. The festival was organized by Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Nagaland. Gracing the cultural event today, MLA Dr. Neisatu Mero thanked tourism & higher education minister Temjen Imna Along for gracing the inaugural function of the festival on April 24. He also thanked the presence of CAWD & taxes advisor Kudecho Khamo, NPF Legislature Party leader MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu and MLA Kevipodi Sophie. He acknowledged CPO, tourism department, district administration, various…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: In recent years, Kashmir has been witnessing a growing community of farmers who are revolutionizing the way agriculture is practised in the region. These farmers, who are often referred to as trendsetters, have been successful in adopting innovative practices that have helped them increase yields and improve the quality of their produce. According to a report, their success has not only brought them financial benefits but has also inspired many others in the region to follow suit. A farmer in the Kashmir valley has exponentially increased his income by making a strategic shift from growing apples to cultivating…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: At first glance, Ima Keithel is much like any other market. Lines of vendors are here from dusk until dawn, eagerly flogging everything from fresh fruit to fish and fabrics. But after walking through its huge network of more than 5,000 stalls spread across three multi-story buildings and a sea of surrounding tin shacks, one unique aspect becomes hard to ignore: every single trader, without exception, is a woman. “We are just like family, we’re sisters,” says Meilani Chingangbam, a 65-year-old who has been selling religious ritual products like incense and shrine decorations at the market since 2002.…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: A US national security expert has warned about China’s developing cyber capabilities. This comes after a classified U.S. intelligence leak reportedly exposed the country’s efforts to build weapons to overtake enemy satellites, Fox Business reported. Former US national security adviser for Vice President Cheney, John Hannah, has issued a warning on China’s aggressive investments in technology, arguing that their strategy is intended to disrupt, degrade and destroy U.S. space capabilities. Hannah on “Cavuto: Coast to Coast”, explained: “The future of warfare, one of the most contested domains, is going to be space. Space, in essence, is the new…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: As we delve into the annals of World War II, certain stories, battles, and sacrifices stand out, seared into our collective memory. However, the Battle of Imphal remains a largely unexplored and forgotten chapter in this monumental conflict. This poignant tale of courage, sacrifice, and resilience highlights the vital role played by the local people of Manipur, especially in the city of Imphal, in turning the tide of the war, according to a report. “In March 1944, the picturesque capital of Manipur, Imphal, found itself at the heart of a fierce and protracted battle between the Japanese 15th…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, the Nepali Ambassador to China, has finally presented his letter of credence to Chinese President Xi Jinping, eight months after his appointment to the post. Chinese President Xi Jinping received the credentials from ambassador Shrestha at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. Shrestha was appointed as ambassador in August of last year by then President Bidya Devi Bhandari, following the recommendation of the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government. During the occasion , Xi said that China is willing to work with the international community to promote the implementation of the Global Development…

FEATURE DESK: In a moment of great pride, a theatre at the University of New South Wales in Australia was renamed after Annada Gohain, an Assamese born who was the first woman to graduate from UNSW’s School of Chemical Engineering. The Annada Gohain Theatre will replace Lecture Theatre G06 at the university’s CLB and will be on the tour of the Kensington campus. Annada completed her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Honours in 1948 from Cotton College, Guwahati after which she travelled to Australia in 1955 to participate in a special two-year Food Technology programme offered by the University of…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu will make his maiden visit to India to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting planned to be held this week, said Chinese Defence Ministry, The Global Times reported. According to Global Times, the Chinese Defence Ministry said that from Thursday to Friday (April 27, 28), the Chinese Defence Minister will take part in SCO and will make a speech and meet with the head of delegations from other countries. Global Times, in a tweet, said, “Chinese State Councilor and Defence Minister Li Shangfu will attend a defence ministers’ meeting among…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Panama Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney held a joint press conference on Monday after holding discussions on several bilateral issues related to health and trade. Addressing the joint briefing, EAM Jaishankar said India and Panama discussed what can be done to expand the cooperation and how Indian Pharmaceuticals can be brought to Panama. “In the last three years, Indian pharmacy has made a change in the world. In covid we supplied vaccines, and we exported medicines to most of the developed world,” Jaishankar said. “Covid has taught us not to be dependent on…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Pakistan suffered an embarrassing setback when the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), Sardar Tanveer Ilyas was disqualified for contempt of court, Asian Lite International reported. PoK’s High Court on April 11 declared Ilyas unfit to be a member of the “legislative assembly” due to contempt charges and from holding any public office for two years. This decision came after Ilyas was summoned to the PoK “Supreme Court” and high court for using derogatory language about the superior judiciary in his public speeches. Ilyas belongs to Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and is the first serving…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Sri Lanka is taking steps for economic revival in the backdrop of the first tranche of the bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and this would open up opportunities for Indian corporate sector. One of the measures the Lanka will pursue is restructuring of its State-owned enterprises. As part of its economic recovery and fiscal consolidation plan, the Sri Lankan government has shown interest in divestment in the airlines, hotels and hospital sectors among others and this would open up opportunities for Indian investors, ET has learnt. Sri Lanka received USD 330 million as the first…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu is scheduled to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting planned to be held in the ensuing week, defence officials said. The Pakistani side is yet to confirm their participation in the meeting, they said. The SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting is scheduled to be held on April 27 and 28. Following the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, this is the first time that a Chinese Defence Minister will visit India. Li Shangfu, a US-sanctioned general, was named as China’s new Defence Minister a month ago. Li has been under US…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar is an important event that will showcase the region’s potential as a tourist destination and combat the negative narrative promoted by Pakistan, reported Asian Lite International. The G20 meeting is also an opportunity to demonstrate to the world that normalcy has been restored in the Union Territory. Despite opposition from Pakistan and China, India has decided to go ahead with the G20 meeting in Srinagar. It will refute Pakistan’s false allegations of human rights violations in the Kashmir Valley. Pakistan had urged its G20 allies, such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey,…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Two Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft are currently on standby in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah and INS Sumedha has reached Port Sudan, the external affairs ministry said on Sunday while giving details of preparations to evacuate Indians from conflict-hit Sudan. “The government is making all out efforts to ensure safety and security of Indians stranded in Sudan. We are closely monitoring the complex and evolving security situation in Sudan,” said the MEA. “We are also coordinating closely with various partners for the safe movement of those Indians who are stranded in Sudan and would like to be evacuated.” Apart…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhist Associations came in support of Dalai Lama alleging China is behind the “ill-spreading” of the video against Dalai Lama to tarnish his image. The Tibetan spiritual leader has apologised following the controversy over his viral video. After the Dalai Lama’s video of purportedly kissing a boy went viral, a group of Tibetan leaders and activists from across the globe, expressed their solidarity and support for him. The Himalayan Buddhist Association has also decided to file a defamation suit against those who have spread the video. The Tibetan Buddhist has also sought support from PM…