NEW DELHI, 02 October 2021, (TON): Bilateral trade was around $17 billion last year, with India exporting its key services sector and Australian coal going the other way

Australia and India hope to reach a long-pending landmark trade deal by the end of 2022, according to a joint statement released on Friday announcing the formal relaunch of stalled negotiations.

Bilateral trade was around $17 billion last year, with India exporting its key services sector and Australian coal going the other way.

Both are members of the Quad alliance with the United States and Japan, and are looking to deepen strategic ties to counter China as well as economically and in other areas.

Following trade ministers' talks in New Delhi, the two countries backed the "expeditious negotiation" of a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.

In the meantime, they plan to reach an "early harvest" interim deal by the end this year under which some duties will already be cut.

The statement said “the two sides hope for a "balanced trade agreement that encourages expanded trade and investment flows to the benefit of both of our economies, and that reflects a shared commitment to the rules-based international trading system.”

NAYPYITAW, 02 October 2021, (TON): The People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Naypyitaw detonated a bomb at the office of the military’s directorate of procurement, damaging part of the building and an SUV.

The PDF carried out the attack on the office in Pobbathiri Township with the help of a second guerilla group, it said in a statement on Friday, though it did not specify which one. No one was killed or injured in the blast.

Ngwe Soe, a spokesperson for the Naypyitaw PDF, said the office was close to the compound of the military’s Naypyitaw regional command. “More major attacks are on the way,” he said. “We have made all the necessary preparations.”

A Toyota Highlander SUV had some of its lights and its windshield destroyed in the blast, a police report on the incident acquired by local media said.

The procurement office is under the supervision of a major general. It purchases medicines and other commodities for the military and oversees tenders for products in collaboration with the military-owned Myanmar Economic Corporation, a military officer who has defected since the coup told media.

DHAKA, 02 October 2021, (TON): Executive Vice President of the European Green Deal of the European Commission (EC) Frans Timmermans has vouched to assist Bangladesh in its ongoing effort to tackle climate change.

He said “appreciating the role of the Bangladesh government. The EU will continue increasing its cooperation in the days to come.”

Timmermans said this at a bilateral meeting between the European Union (EU) and Bangladesh led by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md Shahab Uddin on the sidelines of the pre-COP26 conference in Milan, Italy.

The environment minister pointed out the leading role of Bangladesh as a climate vulnerable nation.

“We hope the EU will assist us in this regard in all sectors including technology transfer, capacity building, renewable energy and implementation of adaptation activities.”

DHAKA, 02 October 2021, (TON): President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have greeted the Chinese leaders on the occasion of the 72nd founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

In separate letters sent to Chinese President, they congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping and hoped that the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries would further develop in the days ahead.

President Hamid pointed out that Bangladesh and China enjoy excellent bilateral relations based on mutual respect, shared values, and commonalities in core national objectives. In recent years, the ties have grown significantly in key areas.

He further expressed his confidence that the existing friendly relations between China and Bangladesh would be strengthened and developed in the future.

In her letter, Sheikh Hasina expressed her heartfelt congratulations and warmest greetings on behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh to President Xi and, through him, to the PRC.

RIYADH, 01 October 2021, (TON): Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held talks with his Libyan counterpart, Najla Mangoush, in the capital, Riyadh, during her visit to the Kingdom.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the importance of supporting all means and international efforts to lay the foundations for security and stability in Libya and move forward toward further development and prosperity.

They also discussed aspects of relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them in various fields, in addition to exchanging views on regional and international issues.

WASHINGTON, 01 October 2021, (TON): According to the media “the US is discussing the possibility of using military bases in Central Asia, including Russian ones. On the air of Sputnik radio, the publication was assessed by Alexei Podberezkin, director of the Center for Military-Political Research at MGIMO.

American senators are discussing the possibility of using military bases, including Russian ones, on the territory of states adjacent to Afghanistan, writes Politico.

According to sources of the publication, on the eve of a closed part of the hearings on this topic with the participation of the Pentagon leadership.

The publication says “a trio of top military leaders have informed lawmakers about the discussions that are underway with the governments of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and other countries.”

The publication emphasizes that they discussed the deployment of “over-the-horizon” means for counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan.

Moreover, the senators allegedly did not rule out the possibility of using Russian bases in these countries.

KHARTOUM, 01 October 2021, (TON): World Bank president David Malpass arrives in Sudan for the first visit in nearly 40 years by a head of the development body, and praises the country’s reforms but cautions against “political slippages.”

Malpass says in an address from Khartoum “two years ago, Sudan’s transitional government inherited a deeply damaged economy and society that had suffered decades of conflict and isolation, yet the country pressed forward with bold reforms,” he says, making possible more than $50 billion in debt relief.”

Malpass added “It’s critical to avoid political slippages because there is no development without peace and stability.”

DHAKA, 01 October 2021, (TON): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now in Washington DC, inaugurated the newly constructed "Bangladesh House" in Maryland.

The premier earlier planted a fringe tree on the premise of the house. She also attended a prayer after the inauguration of the house.

Sheikh Hasina later exchanged pleasantries with Bangladeshi diplomats of the Bangladesh mission in the US and their family members.

Among others, Foreign Minister  Dr AK Abdul Momen, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Bangladesh Ambassador to the US M Shahidul Islam were present.

The prime minister arrived in New York on September 19 to attend the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) after a two-day stopover in Helsinki, the finish capital.

During her September 19-24 stay in New York, she attended the UNGA at the UN Headquarters, besides taking part in high-level events and meetings.

Bangladesh: UNHCR enhances staff presence in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camps

DHAKA, 01 October 2021, (TON): The UN Refugee Agency has enhanced its staff presence in the Cox's Bazar Rohingya camps to ensure refugees have direct access to support services and can report their concerns.

This comes a day after Rohingya leader Mohib Ullah was shot dead by unknown assailants.

In a statement, UNHCR Bangladesh said “protection and assistance services, including psychosocial support, are being provided to respond to their specific needs.”

"Trained professionals and refugee volunteers are responding to helplines for refugees."

The UNHCR has expressed deep shock and sadness at the tragic killing of Mohib Ullah and condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms.

The UNHCR press release, read "we extend our deepest condolences to Mohib Ullah's family, and to the wider Rohingya refugee community who are mourning his loss. We urge the Bangladesh authorities to undertake an immediate investigation and hold those responsible to account."

UNHCR is in contact with law enforcement agencies and governmental authorities in charge of maintaining the safety and security of the Rohingya refugees living in the camps.  

WASHINGTON, 01 October 2021, (TON): Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke by phone with Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah.

The Secretary and the Foreign Minister discussed the close U.S.-Malaysia partnership, the importance of upholding the international rules-based order, peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and efforts to address the worsening crisis in Myanmar.