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 may exhaust $500 million line of credit from India for fuel purchase this month; Colombo seeks further assistance

The crisis has also rocked the country’s political leadership as they face nationwide protests seeking the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa—a demand the government has refused to entertain

Pakistan Supreme Court reinstates National Assembly, rejects decision to disallowing no-confidence vote

The decision was a big blow to Prime Minister Khan’s alleged theory of “foreign conspiracy” to oust his government, giving a further boost to his opponents who have been accusing the government of unconstitutional actions

Onus on Pakistan to create a ‘conducive atmosphere’: India on trade ties with Islamabad

'The Government’s consistent position has been that India desires normal neighborly relations with Pakistan and is committed to addressing issues, if any, bilaterally and peacefully in an atmosphere free of terror, hostility, and violence. The onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive atmosphere,' Muraleedharan said

India permits Nepal to export 325MW power in its energy market; major energy cooperation in the offing

Once known as a power-starved country, Nepal became a power surplus state last year during the winter months, with its production capacity touching 2000 MW after the commencement of the Upper Tamakoshi hydropower project (456MW)

Iran sending back 3000 refugees daily to Afghanistan as their numbers soar to five million

Since August last year, when the Taliban came to power, over a million Afghans fled to Iran, taking the total number of Afghan refugees in the country to almost five million

Imran Khan is using ‘US card’ for domestic gains, says a former American official

“It’s highly unlikely that any US official would get involved in Pakistan’s internal politics,” Lisa Curtis, who had served as director for South and Central Asia at US National Security Council during the Trump Administration, was quoted as saying

Sri Lanka revokes emergency after government loses parliamentary majority

Since the imposition of a public emergency, demonstrations against the country’s ruling Rajapaksa clan had been growing as people defied prohibitory orders and curfew demanding the resignation of President Rajapaksa

Pakistan’s trade deficit surges to $35 billion, set to break all records in FY22

Fueled by record import bills due to global high fuel and commodities prices, the trade deficit is expected to touch $45 billion this year by June, surpassing the earlier record of $37.7 billion in FY18

Russia wades into Pakistan’s political crisis, says the US punishing Imran Khan

It isn’t just a coincidence that Moscow’s statement came when the chasm between Khan and the powerful military has widened, with both having conflicting approaches to the war in Ukraine

Sri Lankan President says he won’t resign; Opposition rejects unity offer

Despite the mass resignation of the cabinet members and President Gotabaya making an offer to all political parties to join the government, opposition parties have rejected the offer, with most demanding the Rajapaksas quit the government

Maldives signs defense agreement with US; India welcomes move

The agreement with the US is among many initiatives Male has been taking to diversify its defense and security ties, with the US expanding its ties with the Indian Ocean archipelago and opening an embassy in Male as a recognition of its strategic location in the intersection of important sea lanes

Nepal’s tourism industry almost matches the pre-pandemic level, recording highest visitors in March

In 2020, just weeks before the pandemic, the government had launched the ambitious target of 2 million tourists. The plan was doomed as international travel came to a halt

Taliban bans poppy cultivation with eye on recognition and development assistance

Over the past four decades now, the poppy has become an integral part of the country’s informal rural economy, primarily due to the relatively stable income that it provides in challenging times

Sri Lankan cabinet ministers resign en masse amid economic and social unrest

The decision to impose the emergency following the violent protests outside the president's private residence had created unease in the cabinet and opposition alike

Pakistan president dissolves parliament and assemblies without no-trust vote; top court says all moves under scanner

Pakistan's military, possibly distancing itself from the actions of the prime minister, issued a statement, saying “the army has nothing to do with today’s political developments.”