ISLAMABAD, 22 December 2021, (TON): Following a 10-year hiatus, a freight train service between Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan was re-launched in a major boost for trade among the three countries and within the region.

The Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad (ITI) cargo train was started in 2009 but suspended in 2011 due to several delays in Pakistan.

It can complete the journey between the three countries in about 14 days, much faster and less costly than the alternate sea route.

The train departed from Pakistan’s capital for Europe’s largest city with dozens of containers.

It will cover 1,990 kilometers (1,235 miles) inside Pakistan, before crossing through the Taftan border for a 2,603-kilometer (1,620 miles) stretch in Iran.

The train will travel some 1,850 kilometres (1,150 miles) in Turkey, passing through the capital Ankara before reaching its final stop in Istanbul.

The decision to resume the ITI cargo train service was taken at a ministerial meeting of ECO member states in 2020.

ISLAMABAD, 15 December 2021, (TON): Pakistan issued another 112 visas to Hindu pilgrims in India to visit prominent temples in Punjab’s Chakwal district.

Read an official statement “today, the High Commission for Pakistan in India issued 112 visas to Indian Hindu pilgrims for their visit to a prominent Hindu temple in Punjab, Pakistan.”

It added that the group would be visiting Shree Katas Raj Temples, also known as Qila Katas or complex of Katas Temples in Chakwal district of Punjab from December 17-23.

Katas Raj Temples surround a pond which is considered sacred by Hindus. The visit is covered under the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, 1974.

According to the communique “in addition to visas for Hindu religious places covered under the framework of the bilateral protocol, a large number of Indian Hindus are issued visas by Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on regular basis for visits to their families and friends in Pakistan.”

ISLAMABAD, 15 December 2021, (TON): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan wants a relationship with the United States which is in ‘sync’ with the country’s changed priorities.

Speaking at Margalla Dialogue Forum in Islamabad, the foreign minister said the new approach is in line with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of shifting from geo-politics to geo-economics.

While maintaining that Islamabad values its longstanding relationship with Washington, Qureshi said “the country wanted multifaceted ties that were not susceptible to the vagaries of regional and international policies.”

Qureshi said “recent strategic rivalry between the world powers has added to the nuances of global peace.”

NAYPYITAW, 15 December 2021, (TON): The leader of an underground guerrilla group told media “Junta soldiers have arrested 12 people including three injured anti-junta fighters after several bombs exploded by accident in Yangon’s Hlaing Tharyar Township."

The leader said, speaking on condition of anonymity “the handmade devices went off while members of the group were handling them at a hostel at around 6pm. The blast tore off one of 19-year-old Kaung Myat’s legs and injured two other people.”

He declined to reveal the name of his group for security reasons.

He added “when junta soldiers arrived at the site of the explosion, four more bombs went off and injured some of the troops.”

He said “soldiers then arrested Kaung Myat as well as seven other people who were not involved in the explosion, including the two owners of the hostel.”

He added “the other two injured guerrillas managed to escape the hostel but were arrested on Tuesday along with their driver.”

DHAKA, 15 December 2021, (TON): Indian President Ram Nath Kovind is arriving in Dhaka today on a three-day visit on the occasions of Bangladesh's 50th Victory Day, Mujib Borsho and 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh.

He will be accompanied by First Lady of India Savita Kovind, his daughter Swati Kovind, State Minister for Education Subhas Sarkar, two members of parliament, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and other high officials.

This will be his first visit to Bangladesh, at the invitation of Bangladesh President Md Abdul Hamid, since he took office.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said “the unequivocal support of India during the 1971 Liberation War is the foundation of its relations with Bangladesh. It has grown stronger and dynamic through the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”

DHAKA, 15 December 2021, (TON): The Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata has announced that it will soon open its first official visa application (VAC) centre in the Indian city.

The announcement was delivered amid celebrations for the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Independence.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said “functions related to diplomacy and business are the main objectives of a diplomatic commission.”

He said “we are planning to separate visa centres from the commissions, especially at embassies where there is an increasing rush of service-seekers.”

NEW DELHI, 15 December 2021, (TON): There is no unease in India’s relationship with Bangladesh following the controversies over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and violence against Hindus, the government asserted ahead of President Ram Nath Kovind’s three-day visit to Dhaka for 50th Victory Day celebrations.

Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla said “the visit starting Wednesday will strongly reinforce the “very, very strong bonds of friendship and cooperation” between the two countries.

Shringla said “I would completely dispel any perception that there is any unease in the relationship.”

He said “the relationship is an extraordinary one.”

NEW DELHI, 15 December 2021, (TON): India, Iran and Uzbekistan discussed the further development of the transit and transportation corridor centred round the Iranian port of Chabahar during a trilateral meeting on the joint use of the port on the Gulf of Oman.

This was the second virtual meeting of the trilateral working group on the joint use of Chabahar port, and it was held exactly a year after the first meeting.

The external affairs ministry said in a statement “the participants underlined the important role played by Chabahar Port during humanitarian crises as well as in enhancing regional connectivity.”

The statement added “they also took note of the increase in transit traffic between Central Asia and South Asia through the Shahid Behesti Terminal, Chabahar Port and discussed further development of transportation corridor.”

The Indian side agreed to send a high-level delegation to Chabahar next year at the invitation of the Iranian side.

RIYADH, 14 December 2021, (TON): Saudi Deputy Minister for Consular Affairs Tamim Al-Dossary met the South African ambassador to the Kingdom, C. T. Rubushe, in Riyadh.

During talks, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to develop them, along with issues of common interest.

Saudi Arabia and South Africa enjoy brotherly relations and are looking to boost bilateral trade.

WASHINGTON, 14 December 2021, (TON): Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. 

The Secretary commended Qatar for its continued work to assist with the safe transit from Afghanistan of U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and Afghans at risk.