Central News Hub

Month: September 2022

  • NIA chargesheets 5th accused with Canada link in terror killing

    NIA chargesheets 5th accused with Canada link in terror killing

    The anti-terror agency has in its charge sheet named one Gagandeep Singh alias Gaggu resident of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh who is a member of banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) led by Canada-based Hardeep Nijjar…reports Asian Lite news

    The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a supplementary ‘challan’ in the designated court at Mohali in the case of the targeted killing of a Hindu priest by terrorists in Phillaur tehsil of Jalandhar district in January 2021.

    The anti-terror agency has in its charge sheet named one Gagandeep Singh alias Gaggu resident of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh who is a member of banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) led by Canada-based Hardeep Nijjar. Gaggu, on the instructions of Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh, an associate of Nijjar, extended help to other assailants in executing the plan for the targeted killing.

    Gaggu was the supplier of arms and ammunition to the gang members who were charge-sheeted in July 2022. Those charge-sheeted earlier were Kamalpreet Sharma and Ram Singh besides Canada-based masterminds Hardeep Nijjar and Arshdeep Singh Arsh.

    The KTF wanted to disturb the communal harmony in Punjab by targeting a Hindu priest, Kamaldeep Sharma. He was shot and injured but later he succumbed to his injuries.

    Nijjar and Arsh have been declared as proclaimed offenders since they could not be arrested as they are residing in Canada. The NIA has announced an award of Rs 10 lakh on the head of Nijjar. A red corner notice has been issued asking Interpol to arrest Nijjar who heads the management of a Gurdwara in Surrey, BC, Canada.

    It is common knowledge that Nijjar and Arsh move around freely in Canada carrying out their daily anti-India activities but still Interpol is unable to arrest them.

    The 2 key founders-cum-directors of KTF are also wanted by the Punjab police in several cases of terrorism and supplying arms and ammunition to their gang members. In 2020, Nijjar in association with Arshdeep Singh Arsh who originally hailed from Moga raised a four-member KTF module in Punjab. The module succeeded in killing Manohar Lal, a Dera Sacha Sauda follower in Bhagta Baika village in Bathinda district on November 20, 2020.

    They also killed Shakti Singh, a resident of village Dagu Romana in Faridkot district, in July 2021, and Tejinder Pinka, owner of Sunshine Cloth Store in Moga on July 14, 2021. Three members of the module were arrested with arms and ammunition and are in jail now facing trial.

    ALSO READ: Modi must scale the wall of bureaucracy to foster New India

  • Suella Braverman wins 1st Queen Elizabeth II award

    Suella Braverman wins 1st Queen Elizabeth II award

    “My mum and dad came to this country from Kenya and Mauritius in the 1960s,” said Ms Braverman in her message…reports Asian Lite News

    Home Secretary Suella Braverman has been named winner of the first-ever Queen Elizabeth II Woman of the Year award at a ceremony in London.

    The 42-year-old barrister, who was appointed to the Cabinet earlier this month by British Prime Minister Liz Truss, said it was the “honour of her life” to take on the new role at the Asian Achievers Awards (AAA) 2022 ceremony, dedicated to the memory of the late monarch who passed away recently.

    Braverman, the London-born daughter of Tamil mother Uma and Goan-origin father Christie Fernandes, sent a recorded message to the ceremony where her parents collected the award on her behalf.

    “My mum and dad came to this country from Kenya and Mauritius in the 1960s,” said Ms Braverman in her message.

    “They’ve been proud members of our Asian community and I was born in Wembley, the heart of the Asian community, and to be elected to serve in the UK Parliament and now to serve our phenomenal and amazing and welcoming country as Home Secretary is the honour of my life. I hope to do you proud,” she said.

    The awards, now in their 20th year, recognise the achievements of individuals from across Britain’s South Asian community via public nominations.

    Other Indian-origin winners across the different categories included broadcaster Naga Munchetty in the media category, chairman and CEO of celebrated visual effects firm DNEG Namit Malhotra in the Arts and Culture category, and Captain Harpreet Chandi in the Uniformed and Civil Service category for her solo expedition across the Antarctic to the South Pole earlier this year.

    Professor Sir Shankar Balasubramanian was named Professional of Year for his pioneering DNA sequencing discovery and Karenjeet Kaur Bains won Sports Personality of the Year as the first female Sikh powerlifter to represent Britain on the global stage.

    Sherry Vaswani, CEO of IT services firm Xalient, won Entrepreneur of the Year and restaurateur brothers Shamil and Kavi Thakrar were named Business Persons of the Year as the founders of the successful Dishoom chain of restaurants. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Kartar Lalvani, the founder of the UK’s well-known health supplements brand Vitabiotics.

    “The AAA will continue to be the platform to identify, recognise and support the innovators, visionaries and community giants that will build Britain and make the world a better place,” said Pratik Dattani, Managing Director of EPG – the global advisory firm behind the awards founded in 2000 by Asian Business Publications Limited (ABPL).

    The organisers said more than 500 nominations were received across the 10 categories, which were then shortlisted by judges to be evenly divided between male and female candidates.

    The judging panel was made up of a diverse range of professionals, including Former Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bas Javid, former president of the Royal College of General Practitioners Mayur Lakhani, Monzo Bank COO Sujata Bhatia, music producer Bally Sagoo, Welsh Assembly Member Natasha Asghar, and Artistic Director of Darbar Festival, Sandeep Virdee.

    A charity auction conducted by celebrated author Lord Jeffery Archer raised around 100,000 pounds for the educational non-profit organisation Pardada Pardadi – which is focussed on girls’ education in India.

    ALSO READ-Indian-origin Suella Braverman appointed UK’s Home Secretary

  • Modi sounds bugle for Himachal poll

    Modi sounds bugle for Himachal poll

    Modi was scheduled to reach Mandi today for one of his three rallies planned before the announcement of the state assembly elections but due to heavy rains and bad weather he was forced to cancel the visit..reports Asian Lite News

    Sounding the poll bugle in Himachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that the country had suffered in the past due to unstable coalition governments at the Centre and also in the states.

    Addressing a massive youth rally here via video, the Prime Minister pointed out that the governments were unstable because they did not have a majority and were formed mostly through coalitions. The people did not trust the governments, and the world also looked at India with a lot of mistrust, he added.

    “But, after 2014 and 2019, things have changed drastically. It’s all due to much awakened citizens, particularly the youth, that the uncertainties among incumbent governments have ended,” he explained.

    “India’s credibility in the world has increased. This is a significant turn because the whole world is now looking up to India. They are reposing trust in us and also want to connect with India. All credits goes to awakened citizens and youths” Modi said in his address to the Yuva Sankalp Rally.

    Modi was scheduled to reach Mandi today for one of his three rallies planned before the announcement of the state assembly elections but due to heavy rains and bad weather he was forced to cancel the visit.

    However, he said that he will be keenly waiting to make up for the loss.  “Inclement weather or other topographical barriers can’t keep me away from my second home—Himachal Pradesh,” he remarked.

    The Prime Minister pointed out that the trend of replacing state governments every five years has now been rejected by the voters. They want a stable government, an honest and trustworthy leadership which only the BJP can provide, he added.

    “Remember what has happened in UP and Uttarakhand. The voters bucked the old trend of alternating governments and re-elected the incumbent BJP governments. I am happy the voters have now made-up their mind to maintain the same trend because they want stability in policies and work culture of the governments,” he declared

    “The youth of Himachal know that the BJP is the only party that can develop Himachal Pradesh with a clear and honest intention,” PM Modi said

    The Prime Minister declared that Himachal Pradesh will be developed as the pharma hub of the country as one of three bulk drug parks, aimed to reduce India’s dependence on foreign countries, has been sanctioned for the state.

    The funding for the National Highway project has also been increased seven times to Rs 14000 crore from a mere Rs 2000 crore eight years ago. This is going to give a big boost to the tourism sector which is the backbone of the state’s economy and employment generation.

    He complimented the state for attaining number one rank in India in its vaccination drive against Covid-19. The state stands a big opportunity to get a boost to tourism, which has suffered during the pandemic, he added.

    Modi also struck an emotional chord with the state referring to traditional handloom products of the region such as Chamba Rumal, Chamba chappal and Lahuali socks. He said whenever he meets foreign dignitaries, he always gifts these items to them so that these products get their place in the world.

    “Whenever I visit abroad, I give Himachal products. So that I can tell them how I am related to Himachal,” the Prime Minister remarked.

    He spoke highly of the youths from Himachal Pradesh adding that be it sports or art, the enthusiasm and skills of the youth of Himachal Pradesh are benefitting the nation. It is the priority of the BJP to encourage the youth,” Modi added.

    Two weeks ago, the government also approved the Constitution amendment Bill to grant tribal status to the Hatti community. The move is expected to boost the ruling party’s chances in the coming Assembly elections as the Hattis form an electorally influential community in Himachal Pradesh.

    ALSO READ: Mexico proposes peace panel for Ukraine with Modi

  • Truss plans to loosen immigration rules 

    Truss plans to loosen immigration rules 

    A recent Government report warned that such shortages were badly affecting the food and farming sector, often forcing farmers to cull healthy pigs and leave fruit rotting in the fields…reports Asian Lite News

    Immigration rules are set to be loosened as part of Liz Truss’s mission to boost growth.

    The Prime Minister is expected to expand the Government’s shortage occupation list in order to help businesses fill vacancies by more easily recruiting overseas workers.

    Truss has faced industry demands for more migrant workers to be given visas to come to the UK, with labour shortages one of the main concerns voiced by employers across a range of sectors.

    Businesses have been frustrated that the visa system for skilled work has not been responsive enough to shortages they have experienced.

    Downing Street did not deny that the Prime Minister is planning to liberalise routes to allow foreign workers to move to the UK, as first reported in The Sun.

    During her campaign for the Tory leadership, Ms Truss promised to tackle the labour shortages in farming – partly caused by post-Brexit freedom of movement restrictions and accentuated by the pandemic – with a short-term expansion to the seasonal workers scheme.

    A recent Government report warned that such shortages were badly affecting the food and farming sector, often forcing farmers to cull healthy pigs and leave fruit rotting in the fields.

    The seasonal workers programme, first launched in 2019, temporarily allows 40,000 overseas workers into the UK for seasonal roles in the horticulture and poultry sectors.

    The cap is expected to be lifted and the six-month time limit extended, according to The Sun.

    A No 10 source said: “We need to put measures in place so that we have the right skills that the economy, including the rural economy, needs to stimulate growth.

    “That will involve increasing numbers in some areas and decreasing in others. As the Prime Minister has made clear, we also want to see people who are economically inactive get back into work.”

    The Government is expected to set out its plan for migration reform later this year.

    It appears to be a pivot away from Boris Johnson’s stance on immigration and may anger some Brexit voters.

    ALSO READ-Truss vows to deepen ties with democracies like India

  • Jaishankar says India on side of those respecting UN Charter 

    Jaishankar says India on side of those respecting UN Charter 

    Adding clarity to it, Jaishankar said, “We are on the side that respects the UN Charter and its founding principles.”..reports Arul Louis

    Delivering an implied criticism of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and distancing India, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that India is on “the side that respects the UN Charter and its founding principles”.

    “As the Ukraine conflict continues to rage, we are often asked whose side we are on. And our answer, each time, is straight and honest. India is on the side of peace and will remain firmly there,” Jaishankar added on Saturday.

    But adding clarity to it, he said, “We are on the side that respects the UN Charter and its founding principles.”

    His speech at the UN General Assembly was closely watched by diplomats for any shift on India’s public stance on Ukraine after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had bluntly told Russia’s President Vladimir Putin that “this cannot be an era of war” and reiterated that dialgoue and diplomacy are the way to go.

    By saying that India is with the side that “respects the UN Chart” that outlaws war, he planted India on the side that is not Russia’s — and diplomatically — if cryptically — avoided having to name Moscow while making the stance public.

    Taking up the cause of the developing countries that have been hit hard by the food shortages and the rising price of energy because of the war, Jaishankar said, “We are on the side of those struggling to make ends meet, even as they stare at escalating costs of food, fuel and fertilisers.”

    “It is therefore in our collective interest to work constructively, both within the UN and outside, in finding an early resolution to this conflict,” he added.

    ALSO READ: 17 killed in Nepal landslides

  • Nepal, India reach understanding on water resources

    Nepal, India reach understanding on water resources

    The meeting decided to extend the term and mandate of an expert group formed to prepare the detailed project report of Pancheshwar Development Authority (PDA)…reports Asian Lite News

    Senior officials from Nepal and India have reached a seven-point understanding on issues related to water resources.

    The understanding was reached here on Friday during the ninth meeting of the Joint Committee on Water Resources, co-chaired by Pankaj Kumar, Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India; and Sagar Rai, Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

    The meeting decided to extend the term and mandate of an expert group formed to prepare the detailed project report of Pancheshwar Development Authority (PDA).

    Pancheshwar is part of the Mahakali Treaty signed between Nepal and India in 1996 that was expected to produce 6,000 megawatts of energy and would irrigate thousands of lands between the two nations but has been failing to go for execution due to several differences between the two sides.

    The formation of the PDA is essential to produce the power from the project that has been in limbo for decades.

    The meeting also recalled the India-Nepal Joint Vision Statement on Power Sector Cooperation issued during the visit of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to India in April 2022, where the two premiers directed their concerned officials to expedite the bilateral discussions towards early finalization of the project’s DPR, the JCWR extended the tenure of the Team of Experts (ToE) unto March 2023 for the finalization of the DPR of Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project and agreed to hold the 4th ToE meeting at the earliest, according to a statement issued by the Embassy of India on Saturday upon completion of the meeting.

    According to another understanding, both sides will dispatch their permanent staff and office bearers within three months in order to carry forward the work undersigned for PDA.

    The meeting also reached an understanding on releasing water to Nepal from Tanakpur Barrage. The River Mahakali is known as Sarada in India.

    These meetings comprehensively reviewed the bilateral water-sector cooperation between India and Nepal, including the implementation of Mahakali Treaty, Sapta Kosi- Sun Kosi Project and cooperation in areas of flooding and inundation, another statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu reads, the progress of various bilateral committees, including Joint Committee on Inundation and Flood Management (JCIFM) and Joint Committee on Kosi and Gandak Project (JCKGP), was also discussed.

    “It was agreed to take forward the Sapta Koshi high dam project through further studies which take into consideration the planned upstream projects, submergence area of the Project as well as other social, environmental and technical aspects. The Joint Team of Experts is expected to meet soon,” said the Indian Embassy statement.

    Both sides also discussed and reached an understanding regarding the matters related to Sapta Koshi High-Dam that will be located in Nepal, changing the project parameters of the high-dam, formation of joint expert teams within one year and adding more manpowers in the bilateral mechanism formed for data sharing on flood and weather forecasting.

    The Nepali side had thanked India for the assistance extended to Nepal regarding irrigation, flood management, inundation control, river embankment works, etc.

    The Indian side highlighted the unique relationship between the two countries and the importance of proper management and utilization of water resources for mutual benefit, the Indian Embassy statement reads.

    ALSO READ: China’s bid to cultivate ties with Nepal’s parliament

  • App to provide real time data on charging stations

    App to provide real time data on charging stations

    BEE is the central nodal agency for developing these softwares and work on this is expected to be completed soon, sources informed further…reports Asian Lite News

    To ensure that motorists using electric vehicles get access to real-time data on nearest active charging stations while on the move, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is developing a mobile app as well as a web portal to provide this information.

    According to sources privy to developments, the app and web portal will provide real time information to motorists on the move, about the nearest active charging stations available on their route.

    BEE is the central nodal agency for developing these softwares and work on this is expected to be completed soon, sources informed further.

    Power Ministry had issued guidelines for developing these softwares in January this year.

    Sources said that the mobile app and web portal providing live data on charging infrastructure will help in improving mobility services.

    The government is also working at installing smart meters on electric poles at dedicated locations and make small charging stations across highways, cities and even villages.

    Electric vehicle owners would be given smart cards for charging batteries of their vehicles anywhere.

    BEE would be developing these chargers, which would include chargers for charging light electric vehicles like two-wheelers and three-wheelers, sources said.

    According to BEE, these chargers will have a built in provision to measure and register electric energy delivered and a provision for electric vehicles’ charging upon user authentication through the mobile app.

    Such chargers would be mounted on electric poles in public parking spaces, sources informed further.

    ALSO READ: Fintech, a force multiplier: RBI Guv

  • India IoT module market shows fastest growth

    India IoT module market shows fastest growth

    The global cellular IoT module market continued to recover despite a tighter supply chain, Covid-19 lockdowns in China and macroeconomic headwinds…reports Asian Lite news

    India was the fastest growing Internet of Things (IoT) module market with more than 264 per cent growth in the second quarter this year, a report showed.

    Although growing on a lower base, the growth in IoT modules in India was driven by smart meters, telematics, point of sale (POS) and automotive applications, according to Counterpoint Research.

    Global cellular IoT module shipments grew 20 per cent (year-over-year) in Q2 2022.

    “The IoT module market is going through a critical phase where the Chinese brands have become bigger, making it very difficult for international brands to grow in silos,” said senior research analyst Soumen Mandal.

    The global cellular IoT module market continued to recover despite a tighter supply chain, Covid-19 lockdowns in China and macroeconomic headwinds.

    The growth was driven by the ongoing digital transformation involving potential applications around critical infrastructure and logistics catered by some key fast-growing low-tier cellular technologies such as Cat-1 and NB-IoT.

    “Further, module players modified their product offerings, striking partnerships across the value chain, from newer connectivity solution providers to acquiring some key competitors, as the IoT industry enters a very exciting growth phase,” the report noted.

    China retained its position as the world’s largest IoT market, contributing to more than half of the demand despite the lockdowns.

    “With six out of the top 10 IoT module vendors being from China and with the rising geopolitical competition and data privacy concerns, international players see an opportunity to consolidate and carve out a dichotomy in this segment,” said Mandal.

    The 5G IoT module shipments remain steady with prices still high and many projects still in pilot stages.

    “It will take at least a couple of years to reach an inflection point. We expect the second half of 2023 to see a ramp-up for the 5G IoT modules with good pan-country 5G coverage and scale,” said Associate Director Mohit Agrawal.

    ALSO READ: ‘Apple may move 25% iPhone production to India’

  • Permanent capital funds focus less on exiting investments

    Permanent capital funds focus less on exiting investments

    With permanent capital, Indian companies can pursue essential high-growth-high-return projects that may yield significant investment returns in the future…writes POORNIMA VARDHAN AND TAPONEEL MUKHERJEE

    The development and expansion of Indian enterprises, especially in terms of improving capital use efficiency, can benefit from understanding global trends in money management and business efficiency.

    The one trend that has been in focus throughout the asset management industry, especially the private equity world, is “permanent capital”. This is broadly defined as access to funds for long periods instead of the usual seven to ten-year fund horizon that has been the norm in the private equity industry. Permanent capital funds focus less on exiting investments in a defined period – and the emphasis is more on generating potential long-run investment returns.

    Investors have generated permanent capital through a variety of strategies. Some large investors, such as Blackstone, Apollo & KKR, have utilised Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) to generate capital they can invest strategically. Apollo has also generated permanent capital through investing, and managing assets for a retirement solution focused annuity business called “Athene”, which, through its annuity business, generates significant cash that Apollo has utilised to generate returns.

    Permanent Capital Vehicles’ (PCVs) growing popularity, in large part, was inspired by Warren Buffett. As the head of one PE firm was quoted by Financial Times, “everyone is suffering from Warren Buffett envy”. Specifically, Berkshire Hathaway’s buy-and-hold investment strategy, wherein every investment is viewed as an acquisition in a company rather than a mere trade. As such, the investment is considered a vote of confidence in the company’s prospects and a long-term commitment to helping it achieve the same. As Buffett himself once famously noted, his “favourite holding period is forever”.

    While Berkshire Hathaway may be the most celebrated name in the PCV space, it is by no means the only one. Markel Corporation, Danaher, Apollo, ThermoFisher, KKR and Johnson & Johnson are other examples – and the list is growing.

    So how will Permanent Capital help India in the next decade?

    The success of nations/economies depends on access to high-quality growth and low-cost capital. While India will enjoy high growth due to favourable demographic and economic factors, access to the low cost of capital will be critical. As the world heads toward high inflation and high-interest rates, the ability to make India an attractive destination for global capital is a must. The Indian government has been making a huge push in this direction. Government-led economic planning platforms, such as the development of GIFT City and the International Financial Service Centre (IFSC) in Gujarat, have already been created. There is a significant push to create a more open and conducive regulatory scheme and simpler tax structure. With Permanent Capital, India will have the advantage of accessing global investments while generating long-term returns for investors.

    – Permanent capital allows prioritising value and steady long-term returns over risky one-time buyouts that may be adversely impacted by unpredictable market cycles. Long-term value creation will help generate significant returns.

    – With higher degree of permanent capital, it will allow Indian businesses and investors to access opportunities for longer periods, ride out periods of high market volatility and, most importantly, acquire assets at attractive valuations when rivals cannot do so due to unfavourable market conditions or internal distress.

    – With permanent capital, Indian companies can pursue essential high-growth-high-return projects that may yield significant investment returns in the future.

    – For investors looking toward emerging markets such as India, PCVs are essential, especially in the context of relatively lesser secondary market liquidity, longer investment horizons for value generation and smaller size of debt capital markets. Using PCVs to hold on to investments longer for value creation could be a vital factor.

    – Most importantly, stable cash flows via permanent capital can help shield India from adverse market conditions and businesses from the adverse funding conditions and assist a company in acquiring valuable assets across the industry. Over the past decade, long-term investing has garnered more takers, especially in the aftermath of the Great Recession, following which economic growth, especially in developed countries, was muted. The usual buy-and-sell-quickly strategy was becoming less viable. Case in point: a quarter of buyout firms worldwide never raised a fund post-2008.

    As the capital markets and businesses in India evolve, winners and losers in highly competitive markets will be determined by various factors, including sources of funds. Both the quality and quantity of funding available will be one of the fundamental factors determining long-term winners. Permanency of capital offers some essential insights into improving one’s competitiveness.

    (The views expressed in this article are personal and that of the authors. The authors, Poornima Vardhan and Taponeel Mukherjee, head AltG, a firm that Offers Proprietary Investment Research)

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  • Hasina seeks UN’s ‘effective role’ in Rohingya issue

    Hasina seeks UN’s ‘effective role’ in Rohingya issue

    PM Hasina said that the uncertainty over the repatriation led to widespread frustration in the country and cross-border organised crimes including human and drug trafficking are also rising…reports Asian Lite news

    The Rohingyas refugees are causing serious ramifications on Bangladesh’s economy, environment, security and socio-political stability of the country, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said and urged United Nations to play an “effective role” in this matter.

    While addressing the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Bangladesh PM said, “Prolonged presence of Rohingyas in Bangladesh has caused serious ramifications on the economy, environment, security and socio-political stability.”

    PM Hasina, who is also in New York to attend the UNGA, said that the uncertainty over the repatriation led to widespread frustration in the country and cross-border organised crimes including human and drug trafficking are also rising.

    “The situation can even potentially fuel radicalization. If the problem persists further, it may affect the security and stability of the region and beyond,” PM Hasina added.

    Remembering the five years of 2017 mass exodus of the Rohingyas to Bangladesh from Myanmar, Hasina said that despite the engagements with Naypyidaw and engagements with the UN, “not a single Rohingya was repatriated to their ancestral homes in Myanmar.”

    “The ongoing political turmoil and arms conflict in the country has made the repatriation of Rohingya even more difficult. I hope the UN will play an effective role in this regard,” she added.

    “We need to prove that in times of crisis, UN is the cornerstone of the multilateral system. Therefore, in order to gain the trust and confidence of the people at all levels, the United Nations must lead from the front and work to fulfil the expectations of all,” she said.

    She further said, “Bangladesh believe that antagonism like war or economic sanctions, counter-sanctions can never bring good to any nation. Dialogue is the best way to resolve crises and disputes.”

    Hasina today gave utmost importance on dialogue to resolve crises and disputes, urging the world community to stop arms race, war and sanctions for building a peaceful world.

    “My urge to the conscience of the world community- stop the arms race, war, and sanctions, ensure food and security of the children; build peace,” she said.

    She continued that “We believe without addressing root causes of conflict, we cannot sustain peace.”

    Wanting to see a peaceful world with enhanced cooperation and solidarity, shared prosperity and collective actions, Sheikh Hasina said “We share one planet, and we owe it to our future generations to leave it in a better shape.”

    During her last visit to India this month, Bangladesh’s PM talked about the Rohingyas and said that the Rohingya migrants are a “big burden” on Bangladesh and the country is reaching out to the international community to ensure they return to their homeland.

    Refugees in the Kutupalong Rohingya Refugee Camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, in July, 2018. (Photo: UN/IANS)

    In an interaction with ANI, Hasina confessed that the presence of lakhs of Rohingyas in Bangladesh had created challenges for her regime.

    “Well you know… for us it’s a big burden. India is a vast country; you can accommodate but you don’t have much. But in our country… we have 1.1 million Rohingya. So well… we are consulting with the international community and also our neighbouring countries, they should also take some steps so that they can go back home,” Hasina said.

    The Bangladesh prime minister said that her government had tried to take care of the displaced community keeping the humanitarian aspect in mind.

    Bangladesh has in the past faced a big influx of Rohingya from Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

    Last month in August, Bangladesh witnessed 5 years of Rohingya mass exodus from Myanmar. (ANI)

    ALSO READ: New York protest demands recognition of 1971 Bangladesh genocide