Central News Hub

Month: September 2022

  • India invites UAE as ‘guest Country’ at G-20

    India invites UAE as ‘guest Country’ at G-20

    This is the first of a series of announcements being made by India preparatory to its assumption of the G-20 Presidency on 1st December, 2022. India’s Presidency will last until 30th November next year…reports Asian Lite News

     India, the incoming President of the Group of Twenty (G-20), today announced that it will invite the UAE as one of the “guest countries” to the G-20 summit in New Delhi on 9th and 10th September next year.

    This is the first of a series of announcements being made by India preparatory to its assumption of the G-20 Presidency on 1st December, 2022. India’s Presidency will last until 30th November next year.

    The G-20 is made up of 19 countries plus the European Union (EU). Its member countries are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK and the USA.

    “India, as G-20 Presidency, will be inviting Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and the UAE as guest countries to the New Delhi Summit,” the announcement said.

    India will also invite the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Asian Development Bank as guest international organisations.

    “In addition to G-20 members, there has been a tradition of the G-20 Presidency inviting some guest countries and international organisations to its G-20 meetings and Summit,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said. “Under its Presidency, India is expected to host over 200 meetings related to G-20 across the country, beginning December 2022.”

    Collectively, the G-20 accounts for 85 percent of global GDP, 75 percent of international trade and two-thirds of the world population, making it “the premier forum for international economic cooperation.”

    The New Delhi Summit will be a major international event in the next calendar year. In addition to 20 of the Group’s members, nine Guest countries of its choice and three international organisations, the Indian Presidency hopes to have at the Summit the following regular invitees.

    These are the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Health Organisation, the World Trade Organisation, the International Labour Organisation, the Financial Stability Board and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development plus the Chairs of three regional organisations: African Union, the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development and the Association of South East Asian Nations.

    New Ties

    H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has held a tripartite meeting with Catherine Colonna, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, and Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India.

    The meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, touched on bilateral cooperation relations and strategic partnership and ways to further develop them to support the three countries’ efforts to achieve economic prosperity and sustainable development.

    Sheikh Abdullah also reviewed with Colonna and Dr. Jaishankar a number of issues of common interest, including climate change and ways to promote global efforts to combat it, especially with the UAE hosting the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in 2023.

    The meeting covered the developments on the regional and international arenas and the importance of strengthening international cooperation in facing global challenges, including energy and food security.

    During the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah said that the UAE has distinguished relations and a fruitful strategic partnership with India and France, noting that the three countries have common visions and aspirations to achieve sustainable growth in their societies to achieve progress and prosperity for their peoples.

    For their part, Dr. Jaishankar and Colonna highlighted the significance of this tripartite meeting and its role in strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with the UAE at all levels.

    The meeting was attended by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Political Affairs and the UAE Permanent Representative to the UN.

    ALSO READ-UAE-Saudi non-oil foreign trade sees sharp growth

  • Mozambique, Tanzania reach deal to fight terror

    Mozambique, Tanzania reach deal to fight terror

    A deadly insurgency broke out in northern Mozambique near the Tanzanian border five years ago, killing thousands and displacing hundreds of thousands…reports Asian Lite News

    The leaders of Mozambique and Tanzania have signed defense and security agreements aimed at fighting terrorism and crime along their shared border.

    No details were released on the content of the agreements signed during a visit to Maputo by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

    A deadly insurgency broke out in northern Mozambique near the Tanzanian border five years ago, killing thousands and displacing hundreds of thousands.

    However, life is “gradually returning to normal” after thousands of foreign troops from several African countries were deployed more than a year ago to quell the unrest, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi said.

    “The enemy is now operating in small groups trying to come down to the southern districts,” Nyusi said in their talks.

    President Hassan said that because the two neighbors share a “very long” border, “we need a good security system that allows us to protect our border.”

    “We have seen … cross-border crimes (and) terrorism,” he said.

    Nyusi visited the recovered port of Mocimboa da Praia, a former de facto jihadist headquarters.

    In October 2017, about 30 gunmen launched a dawn raid on three police stations in Mocimboa da Praia, marking the beginning of the insurgency.

    Since then, more than 4,258 people have been killed, according to ACLED, and 820,000 have fled their homes.

    Mozambican forces, backed by Rwandan troops, claimed in August 2021 to have driven out the militants occupying the port.

    The insurgents terrorising Mozambique’s gas-rich Cabo Delgado province have in recent months intensified a violent campaign to establish an Islamic caliphate, which has now spilled north into Tanzania.

    “We will have joint operations (and) exchange information in our endeavour to end terrorism in our border areas,” said Mozambique’s police chief Bernardino Rafael.

    “I believe with this partnership… we (will be) able to finish the terrorists,” he added.

    As part of the deal, more than 500 suspected militants arrested in Tanzania will be extradited to Mozambique, according to national broadcaster TVM.

    A shadowy Islamist group has wreaked havoc in northern Mozambique since 2017, killing hundreds of people and displacing thousands.

    Locally they are known as Al-Shabab, although they have no known links to the ruthless jihadist group of that name operating in Somalia.

    Their attacks have increasingly been claimed by the Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP), affiliated with Daesh.

    International conflict data provider ACLED has recorded more than 2,000 fatalities from the conflict, while Mozambique’s Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho last week said at least 500,000 had fled their homes because of the violence.

    Shared ties

    Tanzania and Mozambique share not only a border but strong family, economic, cultural, and historical ties, which cement the bond between the two countries. Tanzania played a key role in Mozambique’s struggle for independence. In fact, the country was a base for liberation movement activists. The Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) was among those movements that benefited extensively from Tanzania’s support for the independence of the southern African states.

    Moreover, the Macondé in Cabo Delgado have traditional links with Makondé in Tanzania. Mwani is a similar language to Swahili and Mwani speakers have traditional links to Zanzibar and coastal cities further north. The Makua and Yao are two large Bantu tribes of Southern Tanzania and northern Mozambique. Tanzania’s Mtwara Region and Cabo Delgado are inextricably linked through ties of family, language, faith, and economy11. An effectively open border is straddled by families rooted on either side. A common language, Swahili, binds communities, while shared faith too ignores borders13. Those elements made it easier for the insurgents on the Mozambican side to interact with their counterparts in Tanzania and vice versa, and to conduct small-scale attacks. It has also created an easy entrance for Tanzanians and other foreign fighters who take advantage of the lapse border security facilitated by a sense of brotherhood between the people of the two countries easily cross to Mozambique to join up insurrection in Cabo Delgado.  

    ALSO READ-Algeria to increase gas supply to Italy

  • Drought to affect 36.1 mn in Horn of Africa

    Drought to affect 36.1 mn in Horn of Africa

    In Ethiopia, the cost of the local food basket increased by more than 33 per cent between January and June 2022, according to WFP…reports Asian Lite News

    At least 36.1 million people in the Horn of Africa, including 24.1 million in Ethiopia, 7.8 million in Somalia, and 4.2 million in Kenya, will be affected by severe drought in October, the United Nations has warned.

    The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the figure represents a significant increase from July when an estimated 19.4 million people were affected by drought.

    OCHA said aid agencies are already in a race against time and are working around the clock to respond to this rapidly deepening emergency.

    “Urgent additional funding is required to scale up and sustain the response,” OCHA said in its latest humanitarian update on drought released on Wednesday evening.

    It said communities in the Horn of Africa are facing the immediate threat of starvation, with forecasts indicating that the October-December rainy season is likely to underperform, marking the fifth consecutive failed season in parts of Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.

    According to OCHA, two districts in Somalia are at imminent risk of famine, and at least 21 million people are projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity due to drought in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia between October and December.

    “The 2020-2022 drought has now surpassed the horrific droughts in 2010-2011 and 2016-2017 in both duration and severity and will continue to deepen in the months ahead, with catastrophic consequences,” OCHA said.

    It said food prices are spiking in many drought-affected areas, due to a combination of macroeconomic challenges, below-average harvests, and rising prices for food and fuel on international markets, including as a result of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

    In Somalia, staple food prices in drought-hit areas have surpassed the levels recorded during the 2017 drought and the 2011 famine, according to World Food Program (WFP)’s price monitoring.

    In Ethiopia, the cost of the local food basket increased by more than 33 per cent between January and June 2022, according to WFP.

    Soaring prices are leaving families unable to afford even basic items and forcing them to sell their hard-earned properties and assets in exchange for food and other life-saving items.

    There are also repercussions for food for refugee programs, which are already impacted by reduced rations due to a lack of funding support.

    ALSO READ-Historic famine looms as drought grips East Africa

  • Algeria to increase gas supply to Italy

    Algeria to increase gas supply to Italy

    In 2021, the North African country exported 21.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Italy…reports Asian Lite News

    Algerian state-owned energy giant Sonatrach plans to increase its gas supply to Italy in the coming months, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Energy and Mines.

    With 17.8 billion cubic meters of gas already delivered in 2022, Italy “will still receive an additional 10 billion cubic meters of gas” in the next months, with the total supply exceeding 25 billion cubic meters by the end of the year, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement by the ministry statement.

    In 2021, the North African country exported 21.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Italy.

    With such deliveries, Algeria has been “honoring its commitments with Italy,” thus “consolidating its position as the leading gas supplier to this southern European country,” the statement noted.

    During his visit to Algeria’s capital Algiers on July 18, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi hailed Algeria as a “key” energy partner of his country.

    ALSO READ-Algeria, France vow to examine colonial past

  • 7 confirmed cases amid Uganda’s rare strain of Ebola virus

    7 confirmed cases amid Uganda’s rare strain of Ebola virus

    Ebola is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates. It has six different strains, three of which, Bundibugyo, Sudan and Zaire, have previously caused large outbreaks…reports Asian Lite News

    Uganda has reported seven confirmed cases, including one death, amid the latest outbreak of the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus, announced Henry Kyobe, incidence commander in Uganda’s Ministry of Health.

    Kyobe made the announcement on Thursday at an online press briefing held by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, based in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of the Congo, adding that the epidemic “appears to have started around the beginning of September”.

    Kyobe said that the country has reported seven cases that possibly died of Ebola before the confirmation of the outbreak, noting that the health authorities are working on contact tracing and repurposing Covid-19 treatment centres.

    The WHO said on Tuesday that a sample taken from a 24-year-old man was identified as the relatively rare Sudan strain. It is the first time in more than a decade that the Sudan strain has been found in Uganda, which also saw an outbreak of the Zaire strain of Ebola virus in 2019.

    Existing vaccines against Ebola have proved effective against the Zaire strain but it is not clear if they will be as successful against the Sudan strain, according to WHO in an earlier statement.

    Ebola is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates. It has six different strains, three of which, Bundibugyo, Sudan and Zaire, have previously caused large outbreaks.

    Case fatality rates of the Sudan strain have varied from 41 per cent to 100 per cent in past outbreaks. The early roll-out of supportive treatment has been shown to significantly reduce deaths from Ebola, according to the WHO.

    ALSO READ-Kenya on alert as Ebola resurfaces in Uganda

  • Flood-hit Pakistan pins hopes on Russian wheat

    Flood-hit Pakistan pins hopes on Russian wheat

    In an interview, the prime minister said the wheat could come from Russia, but the country is open to other offers…reports Asian Lite News

    Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan could import wheat from Russia in the aftermath of the destruction of farmland caused by the recent floods, local media reported.

    Pakistan may have to import about a million tonnes of wheat after the floods submerged one-third of Pakistan’s territory and left 33 million of its people scrambling to survive, The News reported.

    In an interview, the prime minister said the wheat could come from Russia, but the country is open to other offers. The country also needs fertiliser because factories involved in their production are closed, he said, The News reported.

    Even before the floods began in mid-June, Pakistan was facing serious challenges from grain shortages and skyrocketing crude oil prices sparked mainly by Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine and the war that has followed. Sharif said skyrocketing prices have put the import of oil “beyond our capacity”, and — with the damage and destruction from the massive flooding — solutions have become “extremely difficult”.

    Sharif said the country has “a very robust, transparent mechanism already in place” to ensure that all aid items are delivered to people in need. In addition, he said, “I will ensure third-party audit of every penny through international well-reputed companies”.

    Prime Minister Sharif said he came to the United Nations this year to tell the world that “tomorrow, this tragedy can fall on some other country.”

    In the wide-ranging interview, Sharif exhorted world leaders gathered for their annual meeting at the General Assembly to stand together and raise resources “to build resilient infrastructure, to build adaptation, so that our future generations are saved”.

    ALSO READ: ‘Looking for peace with neighbours’: Shehbaz rakes up Kashmir at UN

  • ‘We will liberate ourselves from a colonial mindset’: Jaishankar

    ‘We will liberate ourselves from a colonial mindset’: Jaishankar

    Jaishankar attributed the “New India” that “is a confident and resurgent society” to “the visionary and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi”…reports Arul Louis

    “We will liberate ourselves from a colonial mindset,” India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said, proclaiming India’s new agenda and laying out its global implications.

    “Our rich civilisational heritage will be a source of pride and strength,” he added on Saturday at the UN General Assembly.

    As India celebrates the 75th anniversary of its Independence, he said the Indian people “are rejuvenating a society pillaged by centuries of foreign attacks and colonialism”.

    He attributed the “New India” that “is a confident and resurgent society” to “the visionary and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi”.

    India’s “age-old outlook,” he added, “sees the world as one family. We believe that national good and global good can be entirely in harmony”.

    “Even as we meet our own development targets, India offers partnerships to our brothers and sisters in Asia, Africa and Latin America. And we do so based on their needs and priorities,” he said.

    Externally, leaving the colonial mindset means “reformed multilateralism and more contemporary global governance,” Jaishankar added.

    “We believe that multipolarity, rebalancing, fair globalisation and reformed multilateralism cannot be kept in abeyance,” the External Affairs Minister said.

    He added that a reformed multilateralism would have Security Council reforms at its core, pointing out that it has considerable support among UN members.

    To reform the Council, “our call is to allow serious negotiations on such a critical matter to proceed sincerely. They must not be blocked by procedural tactics. Naysayers cannot hold the IGN process hostage in perpetuity,” Jaishankar said.

    The Intergovernmental Negotiations, or IGN as the reform process is known, has been blocked by a small group of countries led by Italy and includes Pakistan that has prevented the adoption of a negotiating text to allow the process move forward.

    Pitching India’s case for a permanent seat, he added, “In these turbulent times, it is essential that the world listens to more voices of reason. And experiences more acts of goodwill. India is willing and able on both counts.”

    He said, “The world, as we knew it, is poised for transformational changes” having been impacted by a “succession of shocks” — among them the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine conflict and natural disasters.

    ALSO READ: Jaishankar says India on side of those respecting UN Charter 

  • WAGE THEFT: Delhi urged to implement charter on migrant workers

    WAGE THEFT: Delhi urged to implement charter on migrant workers

    Centre for Indian Migrant Studies (CIMS) organised National Consultation on Justice for Wage Theft at New Delhi. Delegates from 15 Indian states urged India government to implement an international justice mechanism for migrant workers to address the grievances on unpaid dues. The Delhi consultation event was held prior to the Conference on Access to Justice for Migrant Workers at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 2-4 October

    A national consultation on Justice for Wage Theft was held in New Delhi to discuss the issues affecting migrant workers. It is a country-wide multi-stakeholder discussion to understand and evaluate the issue of wage theft and stakeholder responses during the pandemic among internal and international Migrants.

    Indian migrant workers are one of the most vulnerable sections during the pandemic. India experiences the large-scale movement of migrants internally and internationally. After the outbreak of the pandemic, migrant workers continue to face injustice especially in getting wages in an expedited manner.

    Delegates from 15 states demanded that the Government of India should implement an international justice mechanism for migrant workers to address grievances on unpaid dues. This Consultation was held prior to the Conference on Access to Justice for Migrant Workers held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 2-4 October.

    Dr. Onkar Sharma, Ministry of Labour & Employment, addressed the event. Other attendees include Jagdish Patel, Shahnaz Rafique, Sangam Tripathy, Sunil Shinde, Sr. Lizy Joseph, Vaishnavi, Mewa Bharti, Sandeep Khare, Neha Vadhwan, Feroze Ahmad, Lakhan Subodh, Anand Lakhan, Elizabeth, Jitendra, Vishwanath, Haris Najib, Assem Mishra, Tapojay, Umesh, Rakshita Swamy etc.

    On Day 2, the discussions took place around the themes: Social Protection and Wage Theft: Using OSH and ESIC as tools to strengthen ‘Wage Campaign”; Access to regular wages and social protection provisions for women migrants during a pandemic; Experiences of various states & sector; floating the idea of building campaign on ‘wage theft’ in India and lastly group discussions towards strengthening wage theft campaign on three broad topics of how do we deal with wage theft & inequality, ESIC & grievance redressal mechanisms.

    Various suggestive points and issues were also discussed. Topics included: Applicability of minimum wages, basic working conditions, ramifications on workers when they complain, and the role of the government to intervene when workers file claims and are subject to termination. Issues faced by migrant domestic workers were highlighted as they are unregistered and without any clear terms of employment. Further, dialogue & representation of women migrant workers, unionisation & challenges of trade unions to organise workers, lack of employment that pushes workers into vicious circles of exploitation, Registration of workers & employers with emphasis on workers from marginalised sections taking up issues forward through litigation & lobbying were also weighed in.

    With respect to National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) there is a violation of both Payment of Wages Act & Minimum Wages Act in many states. The workers need to contextualize this within the wage theft campaign.

    WAGE THEFT: Delhi urged to implement charter on migrant workers – CIMS EVENT
    WAGE THEFT: Delhi urged to implement charter on migrant workers – CIMS EVENT
    WAGE THEFT: Delhi urged to implement charter on migrant workers – CIMS EVENT
    WAGE THEFT: Delhi urged to implement charter on migrant workers – CIMS EVENT
    WAGE THEFT: Delhi urged to implement charter on migrant workers – CIMS EVENT
    WAGE THEFT: Delhi urged to implement charter on migrant workers – CIMS EVENT
  • Quad Foreign Ministers warn against state-sponsored cyber ops

    Quad Foreign Ministers warn against state-sponsored cyber ops

    The Quad Foreign Ministers also addressed ransomware’s adverse effects and the efforts made by other countries to prevent it through various means…reports Asian Lite News

    Describing ransomware as a “global threat”, which has been an obstacle to Indo-Pacific economic development and security, Quad Foreign Ministers have issued a strong warning against state-sponsored hostile cyber operations.

    “The Ministers call on states to take reasonable steps to address ransomware operations emanating from within their territory. We exercise responsibility to assist each other in the face of malicious cyber activity, including from ransomware, against critical infrastructure,” said a joint statement issued after a meeting of Quad Foreign Ministers on Friday.

    India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Yokimasa Hayashi, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wing met in New York, USA on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.

    “Recalling the last Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 11 February 2022, we commit to addressing the global threat of ransomware, which has been an obstacle to Indo-Pacific economic development and security,” the joint statement pointed out.

    The statement reaffirmed the Quad’s commitment to supporting Indo-Pacific countries’ advancement of a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is inclusive and rules-based.

    “We are committed to an open, secure, stable, accessible, and peaceful cyberspace and support regional initiatives to enhance the capacity of countries to implement the UN Framework for Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace. We strongly believe that focused initiatives for enhancing the cyber capabilities of Indo-Pacific countries would ensure the security and resilience of regional cyber infrastructure,” it said.

    The Quad Foreign Ministers also addressed ransomware’s adverse effects and the efforts made by other countries to prevent it through various means.

    “The transnational nature of ransomware can adversely affect our national security, finance sector and business enterprise, critical infrastructure, and the protection of personal data. We appreciate the progress made by the 36 countries supporting the U.S.-led Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) and the regular, practical-oriented consultations against cybercrime in the Indo-Pacific region.”

    They also reaffirmed the Quad’s dedication to helping the Indo-Pacific region’s nations build an open, free, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

    Additionally, they stated their commitment to free, open, stable, accessible, and peaceful cyberspace and their support for regional efforts aimed at boosting nations’ ability to put the UN Framework for Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace into practice.

    Cyberattack on Iran’s Mahan Airlines repelled

    The statement also said that they are confident that targeted efforts to improve the cyber capabilities of Indo-Pacific nations will guarantee the safety and resilience of the region’s cyber infrastructure.

    The ministers stressed the need for a multistakeholder strategy for developing counter-ransomware capabilities. This involves elevating the significance of already-in-place programs like the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE).

    They also expressed support for discussions on a potential new UN cybercrime convention as a long-term strategy to combat cybercrime more generally and as a tool to combat ransomware.

    The statement said, “We underscore the need for a new treaty to be drafted in a technologically neutral and flexible manner, which does not describe specific technologies or criminal methodologies.”

    ALSO READ: China takes aim at Quad

  • Lankan High Commissioner meets NSA Doval

    Lankan High Commissioner meets NSA Doval

    This was Lankan High Commissioner’s first interaction with a top Indian official after the recent controversy over Colombo allowing a Chinese Space and Satellite Tracking ship Yuan Wang 5 to dock at Hambantota…reports Asian Lite news

    Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda called on National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval earlier this week to hold discussions that Colombo said were “centered on a comprehensive review of the status of the relations” between the two countries.

    The meeting which took place on Thursday was also attended by Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri and Sri Lanka’s Deputy High Commissioner Niluka Kadurugamuwa.

    This was Lankan High Commissioner’s first interaction with a top Indian official after the recent controversy over Colombo allowing a Chinese Space and Satellite Tracking ship Yuan Wang 5 to dock at Hambantota.

    India, which has gone out of its way to help Sri Lanka during the current economic crisis with a more than $3.5 billion lifeline for buying food, fuel, and medicines, was quite upset as the Ranil Wickremesinghe government gave approval to the Chinese satellite tracker military ship to dock at Hambantota from August 11 to 17.

    The Lankan High Commission in New Delhi said that during Moragoda’s meeting with NSA Doval, which was part of the regular and ongoing dialogue between the two sides, “priority areas for future cooperation” were discussed.

    Earlier this month, during a discussion on the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka in the ongoing 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, India also expressed its concern over the lack of progress on a solution to the Tamil issue.

    “The Indian delegation notes with concern the lack of measurable progress by the Government of Sri Lanka on their commitments of a political solution to the ethnic issue – through full implementation of the 13th Amendment of the Constitution, delegation of powers to Provincial Councils, and holding of Provincial Council elections at the earliest,” India had said in a statement.

    ALSO READ: Lanka to hold debt restructuring talks with creditors