Regional Strategic Trends and Intellibrief 18 Nov

Intellibrief - India – India Russia summits on track, major demonstrative defence muscle flexing show in UP, NCR heavy restrictions due to pollution, China acknowledges PLA operations on border. Pakistan – Imran government continues to invite Army patronage survives opposition onslaught in parliament. Afghanistan – Taliban reaches out to US Congress positive response unlikely. Nepal economy concerns after drop in remittance in quarter. Myanmar NUG threatens attacks in Yangon. Maldives growing India Out campaign a concern. Bhutan economy alert, Bangladesh fuel price rise concerns.

Afghanistan

· Taliban’s letter to congress, unfreeze Afghanistan assets to help prevent humanitarian crisis

· Taliban fought against occupation, they deserved this victory: Zamir Kabulov

· Three months after Taliban’s rule, Afghanistan on verge of collapse

Bangladesh

· Fuel price hike rational: Hasina

· Bangladesh assumes IORA chairmanship

Bhutan

· The debt burden in Bhutan

Maldives

· Maldivian govt. condemns spread of misinformation using ‘India Out’ slogan

Myanmar

· NUG warns of plans to escalate attacks in Yangon and neighbouring regions

Nepal

· Nepal Remittance drops for the third straight month

· Issues of Supreme Court will be resolved in a day or two: Dahal

Pakistan

· Govt powers through 33 crucial bills in joint session; allows voting rights for overseas Pakistanis, use of EVMs

· Maryam calls affidavit by ex-GB top judge 'third judicial testimony of Nawaz's innocence'

Sri Lanka

· U.S. top official reviews bilateral ties with Sri Lanka Foreign Secretary

· All government schools to open on November 22 for academic activities

India

· India, Russia maiden 2+2 dialogue likely to be held in December, say officials

· Give thrust to indigenous regional navigation satellite system, NaVIC for global use: Vice President tells ISRO

· Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurates three-day ‘Rashtra Raksha Samarpan Parv’ in Jhansi

· Chinese military has conducted major ops at border: CPC

· Number of Fully Vaccinated individuals surpasses the Partially Vaccinated eligible population for the first time: Dr Mansukh Mandaviya

· Stubble fires go past 2020 tally, rise four-fold since November 1

· Union Home Secretary reviews security situation in J&K

· 5 militants killed in 2 Kulgam encounters