South Asia
Increased Hostility Towards Women's Rights Activists In Afghanistan
Women’s rights in Afghanistan are in a state of deterioration, amplified by tensions from the Taliban who regained control of the state in August 2021. Throughout November, four prominent women’s rights activists were arbitrarily detained by the Taliban. Hundreds of women’s rights activists, fighting for the right to allow girls to receive an education, are now in the Taliban’s custody.
Prime Minister Modi calls for climate equity at COP28
The Indian delegation to the The United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) pledged to redouble efforts moving away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, among many other commitments, led by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The conference, the only multilateral decision-making body on climate change, is taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from November 30 to December 12, 2023.
Secret Bhutanese Crypto Mining Facilities Location Unveiled
In late November, Forbes Magazine used satellite imagery to uncover four previously undisclosed state-run Bitcoin mining facilities in Bhutan. The locations include Dochula Pass, a sacred region home to 108 shrines for fallen Bhutanese soldiers, the town of Trongsa, the Dagana district, and Education City – a failed megaproject designed to create an educational hub in the region.
Workers Rescued from a Tunnel Collapse in India After a 17 Day Wait
On Tuesday, rescuers freed 41 construction workers trapped under a collapsed tunnel in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, after spending 17 days under rubble. The laborers, all migrant workers from poorer states in India, quickly reunited with their families after their release.
Pakistan and China Hold Largest Ever Navy Drills
On Nov 11, the Pakistan Navy and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) launched the third edition of their “Sea Guardian” maritime drills. The exercise comes as a move to strengthen Sino-Pakistani ties and enhance strategic capabilities in jointly safeguarding the oceans.
Nepal Bans TikTok, Citing Disruption to Social Harmony
This past Monday, the Nepali government announced a ban on TikTok, the video-sharing app that has accrued over 1 billion users globally. Officials pointed to the prevalent hate content on the app as the main justification for the ban.
Earthquakes Again Strike Nepal, Sounding Fears of Future Destruction
On Friday, Nov. 3, a powerful earthquake struck Nepal, a small landlocked nation that lies along the south of the Himalayas. The earthquake is to have caused 150 casualties plus hundreds of injuries, with the possibility that these numbers may rise as aftershocks continue to rumble through the region.
State Elections in India Begin, Testing Support for the BJP
On Tuesday, the state legislature elections within the Indian states of Mizoram and Chhattisgarh began. Elections in the states of Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan are set to begin later this week.
The Geopolitical Implications of Sri Lanka Allowing Chinese Ship to Dock
On Oct.25, an advanced Chinese research vessel, Shin Yan 6, docked on the port of Colombo amidst India’s fears of China extending its influence over to the Indian subcontinent on an unprecedented scale.
Police Commandos Targeted During Manipur Unrest
On Oct. 31, suspected insurgents ambushed a group of police commandos sent to the Indian state of Manipur, resulting in a shootout. The situation ended when the Assam Rifles successfully rescued the police from the situation.
Pakistani Government Creating Stringent Requirements for Afghan Refugees
On Oct. 3, the Pakistani government announced that all unregistered Afghan refugees will be forced to leave the country by November 2023. Specifically, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti announced the crackdown order on “illegal immigrants.”
India Resumes Visa Services in Canada after Diplomatic Fallout
The Indian Embassy in Ottawa, Canada announced the resumption of visa services on Oct. 25 in Canada, after a diplomatic fallout between the two countries over the last couple of months.
Indian Police Raid Local News Outlet
On Oct. 3, at around 6:30 AM, Indian police staged several raids on the office and private homes of employees at NewsClick – an English-language independent news outlet focusing on “progressive movements.”
Indian Supreme Court Declines to Legalize Same Sex Marriage
On October 17, 2023 in New Delhi, the Indian Supreme Court reached the verdict of denying the recognition of same-sex marriages. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration previously opposed petitions to the court because they view the ideology of same-sex marriage as incompatible with the “Indian family unit concept” of a husband, wife, and children.
India’s Response to the War in Gaza
The Indian government is showcasing a diplomatic leaning towards Israel, considering the strong ties between the two countries and the strategic partnerships between them. A key factor is also the close friendship that the two prime ministers share. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi refrained from taking an absolute neutral position in the Israel-Palestine conflict, unlike his predecessors.
Indian Government Ramps Up Infrastructure Spending
The Indian government drastically increased its infrastructure spending on public goods, such as roads, railways and bridges, for the foreseeable future.
Bangladesh-Russia Nuclear Plant Deal Settled in Chinese Yuan
Bangladesh and Russia agreed to conduct an ongoing nuclear power plant deal entirely in Chinese Yuan.
India Surpassing China as the Most Populous Country in the World
India is about to surpass China’s population given UN projections analyzed using fertility levels.
Indian Supreme Court Set to Hear Petitions to Legalize Same-Sex Marriages
The Supreme Court of India is currently hearing a petition to legalize same-sex marriages.
Pakistan’s Muted Ramadan Celebrations Due To Economic Crisis
Recent spikes of inflation and damaged crops have resulted in soaring food prices in Pakistan during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan