The decision came days after Dhaka suspended the first dosing of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on a supply crunch…reports Asian Lite News.
The Bangladeshi government has approved the import and use of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against Covid-19.
Major General Mahbubur Rahman, Director General of the country’s Drug Administration, made the announcement on Tuesday, the Xinhua news agency reported.
AstraZeneca vaccine
The decision came days after Dhaka suspended the first dosing of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on a supply crunch.
“We’ve given permission for the emergency use of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine,” Rahman told journalists.
Amid uncertainty over timely arrival of the next Covid-19 vaccine shipment from India, the Bangladeshi government halted administering first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine across the country from Monday.
Nearly 6 million people have so far received the first dose of the vaccine in Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on January 28 virtually inaugurated the country’s Covid-19 vaccination drive.
The Bangladeshi government on Monday announced that it decided to extend the ongoing lockdown which began on April 14 for another week.
Bangladesh recorded 112 deaths from Covid-19 on April 19, its highest daily toll from the pandemic, the government said.
On Tuesday, the country’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported 3,031 new cases of Covid-19 and 78 new deaths, bringing the number of total cases to 751,659 and the total death toll to 11,228.
The security of high profile individuals including VVIPs, VIPs, diplomats and Chinese nationals has also been tightened…reports Asian Lite News
Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad has been put on high alert in the wake of intelligence reports that terrorists might strike in the city.
The security of high profile individuals including VVIPs, VIPs, diplomats and Chinese nationals has also been tightened, Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported.
Moreover, the security was also tightened around important installations, hospitals and religious places.
The Central Police Office (CPO) of Islamabad had written letters to various departments of the city, asking them to upgrade security for personalities and installations, senior police officers told Dawn.
The security officials have also been directed to stay on high alert at all check posts and points.
Earlier this month, radical Islamist party the Tehrik-i-Taliban in Pakistan (TTP) had claimed responsibility for a deadly bomb blast at a luxury hotel in Quetta, hosting the Chinese ambassador, which led to the killing of four. (ANI)
The government has issued orders to six other officers of the embassy in Riyadh to return….reports Asian Lite News
Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia has returned to the country over complaints by the Pakistani community in the kingdom.
The government has issued orders to six other officers of the embassy in Riyadh to return. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had also ordered an inquiry and his directions were being implemented, Dawn reported citing the Foreign Office statement on Thursday.
“A high-powered inquiry committee will look into the matter,” it added.
The statement further said the six officers who were issued recall orders worked in the diplomatic, community welfare, and consular wings of the embassy.
“The government of Pakistan attaches high importance to the welfare of overseas Pakistanis. There is zero tolerance, whatsoever, for any lapse in public service delivery,” the statement said, adding that Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi himself oversaw the working of all diplomatic missions, particularly with regards to the services being provided to the Pakistani community.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said that the Prime Minister, “being cognisant of the complaints submitted to him by Diaspora in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and while expressing his displeasure on the performance, attitude and behaviour of officers posted in Pakistan’s Embassy/ Consulates in Saudi Arabia, has taken a serious view of the situation.”
The statement added that the premier had tasked the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission to inquire into the matter and submit its report within 15 days.
Earlier today, Imran Khan said he had heard that the Pakistani embassy in Saudi Arabia did “not take care of the labour class” working in the Gulf country, Dawn reported.
Earlier this week, two diplomats from the Pakistan Embassy in South Korea were caught shoplifting at a store in Seoul. They were caught stealing items worth 11,000 won (USD 10) and 1,900 won (USD 1.70), respectively, at the same store in Itaewon, Yongsan District. (ANI)
How remdesivir can save lives in nations with lower hospital capacity.
The demand for the drug has recently increased in India, as the country witnessed a sudden rise in coronavirus cases…reports Asian Lite News.
Bangladesh will be sending Remdesivir, an anti-viral medicine being used in COVID-19 treatment, along with other medical supplies to India next week, said country’s Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen.
“India sought Remdesivir [from us]. We have taken measures to send it,” Dhaka Tribune quoted Momen said on Thursday.
The demand for the drug has recently increased in India, as the country witnessed a sudden rise in coronavirus cases.
The worsening COVID-19 situation has seen a surge in the demand for medical oxygen, drugs and beds for the COVID-19 patients and many states are reporting an acute shortage in essential medical supplies.
Last week, the Indian government waived import duty for the Remdesivir vials and the raw materials.
Bangladesh Foreign Ministry on Wednesday offered to dispatch emergency medicines and medical equipment supplies for the people of India who are fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The supplies include about 10,000 vials of injectable anti-viral, oral anti-viral, 30,000 PPE kits, and several thousand zinc, calcium, vitamin C and other necessary tablets
About the risks of the Indian triple mutant Covid-19 variant entering Bangladesh, the foreign secretary said: “The situation in the country will be manageable if the infection rate goes down.”
Bangladesh on April 25 closed its border with India for 14 days to control the spread of the deadly virus. (ANI)
Sunni Saudi Arabia considers Shiite Iran an archenemy. The two now settle their decades-old political and economic rivalry primarily through proxy wars in Yemen, Syria and other states….reports Asian Lite News
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that it welcomed signs of reconciliation coming from Saudi Arabia and hoped to put a quick end to their political differences.
Iran and Saudi Arabia are both important states in the Islamic world whose cooperation can lead to peace and stability in the region, the spokesman said, according to the ISNA news agency, DPA reported.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman struck conciliatory tones this week regarding Iran. “In the end, Iran is a neighbouring country. All we hope for is to have a good and special relationship with Iran,” he said on state television.
“We want it to prosper and grow as we have Saudi interests in Iran, and they have Iranian interests in Saudi Arabia.”
Sunni Saudi Arabia considers Shiite Iran an archenemy. The two now settle their decades-old political and economic rivalry primarily through proxy wars in Yemen, Syria and other states.
Recently, however, there have been signs of detente.
The crown prince’s softer tone comes after reports earlier this month that Saudi and Iranian officials held talks in Baghdad.
Jean-Pierre also said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had directed that a carrier strike group would provide sustained additional force protection capabilities in the region throughout the withdrawal….reports Asian Lite News
The White House has said the US military will send additional forces to Afghanistan to protect US and coalition forces during the withdrawal.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One that “a drawdown is underway,” saying that the US military would deploy additional military assets to Afghanistan and the region to cover the withdrawal, Xinhua reported.
“Elements of an Army Ranger Task Force will temporarily deploy to Afghanistan to assist with the force protection of forces on the ground as we initiate withdrawal operations,” she noted.
Jean-Pierre also said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had directed that a carrier strike group would provide sustained additional force protection capabilities in the region throughout the withdrawal.
“While these actions will initially result in increased forces levels, we remain committed to having all US military personnel out of Afghanistan by September 11, 2021,” she added.
The Pentagon last week said that B-52 bombers and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier will deploy to the region to protect U.S. and coalition forces as they withdraw from Afghanistan.
Citing defense officials, CNN reported that fewer than 100 troops and military equipment had been pulled out of the country largely by aircraft to implement the withdrawal order announced by President Joe Biden earlier this month.
Afghan security force members take part in a military operation in Ghazni province, eastern Afghanistan
The US State Department on Tuesday ordered non-essential staff to leave the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. US Charge d’Affaires to Afghanistan Ross Wilson tweeted that the departure was approved “in light of increasing violence & threat reports in Kabul.”
Biden previously announced the withdrawal would begin on May 1, the deadline date for a full U.S. withdrawal under an agreement reached between the former Donald Trump administration and the Afghan Taliban.
The Taliban had warned of consequences if the Biden administration fails to follow through that deadline.
There are roughly 3,500 US troops in Afghanistan, and about 7,000 NATO troops in the country rely on US logistics and security support.
Despite our shared past, India’s approach to Sri Lanka has been transactional. Some may argue, it is more from the head than the heart. There are not enough people to people exchange. India has always been a pilgrimage destination for Sri Lankan Buddhists, writes Sandip Ghose
A few years ago I went for the launch of a premium brand of Sri Lankan Arrack in Delhi. It was a revelation. Till then I had thought Arrack is another name for Toddy. A poor man’s drink. But, there I learnt, Vintage Arrack can be as precious as Single Malt Whisky. Matured for upto 15 years in Oak Casks it can give many a tropical alcoholic beverage a run for its money. That set me thinking how little we know about our island neighbour off the southern coast.
In the 1960s, for many North Indians, Sri Lanka meant Ameen Sayani’s Binaca Geetmala on Radio Ceylon. Very few Indian tourists travelled to Ceylon (as it was then called) those days. Visitors from Ceylon were also limited to the Buddhist Circuit. Beyond Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka existed only in tales of the Ramayana. Indians, in general, had little idea of the geography and ethnic composition of Sri Lanka. Colombo was the only city most Indians had heard of. Jaffna was an alien name. They did not know the difference between Sinhalese and Sri Lankan Tamils. Sri Lanka first entered the larger Indian consciousness with its rise in Cricket. Then came its ‘Civil War’ and IPKF that captured the imagination of Indians.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Mahinda Rajapaksa
This backdrop underscores the psychological disconnect we have with our South Asian neighbours. We, of course, had a common heritage with Pakistan and Bangladesh. But, both countries have evolved in different directions due to their internal dynamics. The same is true for Nepal. Despite an open border, we tend to miss the changes inside the Himalayan Republic. In the case of Sri Lanka the gap is wider than the Gulf of Mannar, which the Ram Sethu has not been able to bridge yet.
Sri Lanka and her past
The history of Sri Lanka dates back to about 40,000 years as per anthropological evidence. Though couched under the Indian Subcontinent, Sri Lanka was not insulated. Apart from Buddhist connections, it had trade links with Southeast Asia and China. From the 16th Century, parts of Sri Lanka were under Dutch, Portuguese and British rule. Even after independence in 1948, it remained a dominion of the British Empire till 1972. So, the Europeans also contributed in shaping the sensibilities of the Lankan people.
Thus in the midst of similarities, India and Sri Lanka have a distinct cultural identity. Indians at large are not aware of this parallel heritage. This may not have been the case in the pre-partition era. The Indian sub-continent then operated as an integrated geo-political unit. Sri Lanka too was a part of the British empire. After 1947, we became preoccupied with the internal challenges of a fledgling republic. Pangs of separation with Pakistan – or withdrawal symptoms as it were – consumed our bandwidth. Ceylon too gained independence around the same time (in 1948). As a result, a slight drifting of minds may have happened without anyone noticing.
It would not be far off the mark if one said that, post the 1970s India has seen Sri Lanka more through a strategic lens. This was for good reason. Because of its vantage location Sri Lanka has always been of interest to western powers. More recently, China went into an overdrive to stitch Sri Lanka into its “string of pearls”. It has further cemented the bonds by making Sri Lanka a part of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) earlier known as One Belt One Road.
Sri Lanka’s relationship with China is not new. It goes back to many centuries. The two countries have historical links in maritime trade and religion (Buddhism). Other than Indian architecture, Chinese and East Asian influence in Sri Lankan architecture. Chinese migrants came to Sri Lanka during the 18th and 19th centuries. They formed settlements. Being small in number they did not create any feeling of insecurity or animosity. But, India was the proverbial “big brother”.
Thus, there has been a historical trust deficit with India. This IPKF misadventure aggravated it. The relationship is yet to recover from it. The scars will remain for a long time to come. Due to this rift Pakistan got an entry to fish in troubled waters and continues to play a spoiler. Like some other South Asian countries, Sri Lanka too plays the Pakistan card to keep India in check.
India’s approach to Sri Lanka
Despite our shared past, India’s approach to Sri Lanka has been transactional. Some may argue, it is more from the head than the heart. There are not enough people to people exchange. India has always been a pilgrimage destination for Sri Lankan Buddhists. More Indians started travelling to Sri Lanka after the end of the civil war. But tourist traffic between the two countries remained low key. Covid19 last year disrupted it again. Affluent Sri Lankans prefer going to Europe and the Americas for vacations. Indians chose other exotic locations in South East Asia.
There have been talks of starting a Ramayana trail in Sri Lanka with Indians in mind. But, it has much more to offer than religious tourism. Its beaches, hills and historical sites can make it a high end tourist attraction. In India, improved connectivity can entice Sri Lankans to look beyond Buddhist centres. There is great scope for enlarging socio-cultural exchange. Music, drama, dance, cinema and sports can be a common ground for interaction. Premier institutions of higher education emerging in India can attract Sri Lankan students. They can also provide the platform of academic interface. Bonhomie at the grassroots creates the foundation for a positive bilateral relationship.
The second all important �T’ of bilateral relations – Trade has remained underexploited. Before the Free Trade Agreement, the Indian market was out of bounds for Sri Lanka. This compelled it to look at alternative markets. In a few areas, such as Tea, Sri Lanka and India were competitors. Over time Sri Lanka expanded its range of export. Value added products like Apparel surpassed traditional commodities like Tea, Rubber and spices. The US and Europe contribute to over 40 per cent of Sri Lankan Export Trade.
Indian travellers abroad bought garments manufactured in Sri Lanka under international brand names. However, it came to them as a surprise when Sri Lankan Tea Brands like Dilmah came to boutique tea outlets in India. Now, Sri Lankan processed meats and seafood brands find space in Indian supermarkets. These are only the taste of things to come. The untapped potential remains huge.
With increasing ease of doing business in India, non-trade barriers are falling apart. This gives Sri Lankan companies greater market access. Economic Integration with the Southern States is now a real possibility.
This could further open the doors for services, direct investments and technical cooperation. Economic reforms in India have created a level playing field for regional players. The spirit has to shift towards partnership and collaboration from sibling competition.
Though Covid has been a setback, it has also brought the countries closer at a humanitarian level. There is a meeting of minds of the top political leadership. Past misunderstandings are out of the way.
With a confident and “Atmanirbhar India”, it’s time to start a parallel channel of soft diplomacy. There are vast reserves of cultural assets to mine in mutual interest.
A new chapter in South Asian history is waiting to be written.
(This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)
Gotabaya Rajapaksa meets Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe(Twitter)
Sri Lanka President Rajapaksa said that visit will further bolster bilateral ties…reports Asian Lite News
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday met Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe who is in the island nation for a two-day visit.
President Rajapaksa said he had a “fruitful discussion” with Chinese Defence Minister and emphasised that the high-level visit will further strengthen bilateral ties, media reported.
Wei arrived here on Wednesday for bilateral talks with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
“Had a fruitful discussion with #china defense minister General Wei Fenghe this morning. This visit will further strengthen the ties between two countries,” the president tweeted along with photographs of their meeting.
This is the second-highest visit by a Chinese official to the island nation following the visit of Yang Jiechi, Vice Chairman, Chinese Communist Party, in October last year.
There have been concerns about Beijing seeking to increase its footprint in the country through contentious infrastructure projects.
Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court is currently hearing several petitions against a Bill that will give special powers to govern the China-backed port city in Colombo.
Meanwhile, amid the controversy surrounding the China-backed Port City in Colombo, Sri Lanka Minister of Justice Ali Sabry has said the government owns 100 per cent of the land and the project has been initiated to bring investment in the special financial zone.
Addressing a media briefing, Minister Sabry said the total area of the investment zone is 269 hectares and 91 hectares for public facilities and cannot be given to the project company, The Colombo Page reported. Out of the remaining land of the financial zone, 116 hectares or 43 per cent will be given to the project company which initiated the project in 2013 and spent USD 1.4 billion to develop the Port City.
“But all 100 per cent of the land is owned by the government. It is completely false to say that land was given to someone else,” Sabry said.
This comes as the opposition has alleged that a bill to set up a Commission to govern a Colombo Port City has given it too much discretion, denied equal opportunity to Sri Lankans who did not have black money stashed abroad.
A huge crowd attended the festival at the Sri Kamakshi Amman Kovil temple in Tamil-dominated Jaffna without maintaining social distance or wearing face masks…reports Asian Lite News
Sri Lankan officials have arrested the top officials of a Hindu temple for allegedly holding a festival despite a ban on large gatherings amid a spike in Covid-19 infections, according to the Colombo Gazette newspaper.
A huge crowd attended the festival at the Sri Kamakshi Amman Kovil temple in Tamil-dominated Jaffna without maintaining social distance or wearing face masks, the newspaper reported.
The Chairman and Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the temple have been arrested for holding the event despite a ban. Such large events have been banned by the Government until May 31, it was reported.
Last week, the government announced that tuition classes, parties and public gatherings have been banned until May 31st after Sri Lanka was placed on Alert Level 3 following the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
According to new health guidelines, casinos, night clubs and beach parties have also been temporarily banned. Government and private offices have been told to operate with minimum staff while others work from home.
Last week, Sri Lanka marked the second anniversary of the Easter Sunday bombings with religious ceremonies, as Catholics called for investigations into the attacks to be expedited.
The bombings carried out by extremist groups targeted three churches during Easter Sunday services in 2019. Three luxury hotels were also hit in simultaneous attacks on April 21, DPA reported.
Catholic churches conducted prayer services after two minutes of silence in remembrance of the 271 people killed in the multiple explosions. Other religious groups held similar events.
A multi-religious remembrance service attended by Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim clergy and diplomats was held at the St Anthony’s Catholic shrine in the capital Colombo – one of the targets of the suicide bombings.
Heavy security was placed outside churches in Colombo and surrounding areas where the main services were conducted.
Silent protests were held outside churches in some locations demanding speedy investigations into the attacks.
The report said Pakistan was witnessing decline in enforcement of digital rights, freedom of expression and right to information ,especially in online spaces…reports Asian Lite News
Internet freedom in Pakistan has declined dramatically in 2020 as Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government has increased blocking political, social and cultural websites, as well as increased “weaponisation of the cybercrime law as a tool”, according to a report.
The report–‘Annual Pakistan media legal review 2020’–was launched by the Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development (IRADA) to commemorate the upcoming World Press Freedom Day on May 3, Dawn reported.
“The accumulative effect of these outcomes was that the already unfriendly legal framework governing freedom of expression, right to information and digital rights in Pakistan worsened considerably during 2020,” according to the report titled “Growing fear and hate in Pakistani online civic spaces.”
The report said Pakistan was experiencing major setbacks in the enforcement of digital rights, freedom of expression and right to information – especially in online spaces – through regression in the areas of internet policies and regulations.
“This is resulting in a rise in censorship, hate speech, digital surveillance and breach of privacy and disinformation and misinformation online,” the report added.
The report noted that the cybercrime law was repeatedly invoked against journalists and opinion makers for exercising freedom of expression and social media activism.
A large number of journalists and social media activists became targets of the draconian Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016, the report said.
Several journalists and rights activists faced inquiries, abductions, investigations and arrests related to their online/social media activities and posts, according to the report.
“Freedom of expression is a guaranteed fundamental right in the shape of Article 19 of the Constitution,” IRADA Executive Director Mohammad Aftab Alam said.
“The government needs to roll back its increasingly coercive policy and hostile practices aimed at curbing free speech and bring them in alignment with the best practices of diversity and pluralism in expression and allow online spaces to be representative of the people’s opinions and interests,” he added. (ANI)
