LONDON, 19 March 2022, (TON): The Kremlin said on its website “Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Moscow’s conflict with Ukraine and its international repercussions with his security council.”

Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what it called a special operation to degrade its neighbor’s military capabilities and root out people it called dangerous nationalists.

Unlike some of the previous meetings with the council, Putin’s video conference was not televised.

The Kremlin said in a statement “the current international situation was discussed at the meeting and the exchange of views on the ongoing special operation of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine continued.”

It read “the president informed the participants in great detail about his numerous international telephone calls.”

LONDON, 19 March 2022, (TON): State news agency reported that Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed welcomed Syrian President Bashar Assad in the UAE, saying he hoped his visit will be the beginning of good, peace and stability for Syria and the entire region.”

News agency also said “the meeting, which took place at Al-Shati Palace, came within the framework of the common concern to continue consultation and coordination between the two countries on various issues.”

It added that Sheikh Mohammed was briefed by the Syrian leader on the latest developments in his country,

It further stated that they also discussed contributing consolidating of security, stability and peace in the Arab and the Middle East region.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed a number of issues of common concern, emphasizing the preserving the territorial integrity of Syria and the withdrawal of foreign forces, in addition to political and humanitarian support for Syria and its people to reach a peaceful solution to all the challenges it faces..

NEW DELHI, 19 March 2022, (TON): The Islamic Emirate called on the international community to accept the envoys of the current government at Afghan embassies and consulates overseas. 

The Islamic Emirate introduced Fazal Mohammad Sabir as acting head of the Afghan embassy in Ashgabat. 

According to the Islamic Emirate’s spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid “the ceremony was attended by the deputy foreign minister of Turkmenistan and Afghan diplomats.”

The officials of the Islamic Emirate said the introduction of the new acting head for the Afghan embassy in Ashgabat was a step toward extending diplomatic ties between the two countries. 

Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate said “the contacts and relations of the Islamic Emirate with many world countries exist. We hope this process will be incentivized.” 

NEW DELHI, 19 March 2022, (TON): The Taliban welcomed a UN Security Council resolution formally extending the world body’s presence in Afghanistan, although the government remains unrecognised by the international community.

Thursday’s resolution which avoids using the word “Taliban” allows the UN to continue work in Afghanistan.

The vote to extend the United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan was 14 in favour, with one abstention by Russia.

The UN has not yet recognised the Taliban’s pick of envoy to the body, and the resolution does not give the new government international recognition.

NEW DELHI, 19 March 2022, (TON): United States President Joe Biden’s campaign to unite the globe against the Russian invasion of Ukraine is being challenged not only by adversaries such as China but also by the world’s most populous country, India.

An Indian government official that the country will increase its imports of Russian oil, allowing it to boost energy supplies at a discount as its economy struggles to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

The latest purchase was three million barrels said “the official, who was not authorised to talk to reporters and spoke on the condition of anonymity.”

Although India is not alone in buying Russian energy several European allies such as Germany have continued to do so the decision conflicts with Biden’s efforts to isolate Russia’s economy with sanctions.

The increased flow of oil could further strain the relationship between Washington and New Delhi, which has already been tested by India’s recent procurement of advanced Russian air defence systems.

NEW DELHI, 19 March 2022, (TON): India criticised the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s decision to invite Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Omar Farooq to a meeting being held in Pakistan next week, allegedly saying “it was tantamount to encouraging individuals and entities engaged in terrorism.”

The OIC’s council of foreign ministers is scheduled to meet in Islamabad during March 22-23.

The session will discuss several political issues, including developments in Afghanistan and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which will be taken up by the OIC’s contact group on Kashmir.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told media “we have seen in India media reports regarding an invitation extended by the OIC secretary-general to the chairman of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference to attend the 48th session of the OIC council of foreign ministers in Islamabad on March 22-23.”

He said that Indian government takes a very serious view of such actions which are aimed directly at subverting India’s unity.

DHAKA, 19 March 2022, (TON): The Human Rights Watch said “the Bangladesh government should meaningfully respond to United Nations concerns regarding grave allegations of torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in the country.”

An HRW press release said “the United States has already slapped sanctions on the country’s Rapid Action Battalion under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act for serious rights violations and the force should be excluded from UN peacekeeping deployment.”

UN human rights experts called on the Bangladesh government to immediately cease reprisals against human rights defenders and relatives of forcibly disappeared persons for their activism and co-operation with international human rights bodies and UN mechanisms.

DHAKA, 19 March 2022, (TON): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh and India would continue to work together to realize the collective aspirations of their citizens.

"I am confident about that" she said while expressing her thanks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for evacuating some Bangladeshi nationals, along with the Indians, who were stranded in Sumy Oblast of war-torn Ukraine.

Hasina said in a letter to Modi on March 15 “the wholehearted cooperation that the Indian government has been extending in this regard is a testament to the unique and enduring relationship that the two countries have been enjoying over the years.”

Hasina also wished Modi good health and a very Happy Holi.

DHAKA, 19 March 2022, (TON): Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her leadership in the impressive socio-economic development of Bangladesh.

He made the appreciation in a 10-minute telephonic conversation with the Bangladesh premier.

A press release of Prime Minister’s Press Wing here “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received a phone call from the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and exchanged greetings on the 50 years of bilateral relations.”

The Prime Minister of Greece congratulated Sheikh Hasina on the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence and the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Bangladesh Prime Minister also congratulated her Greek counterpart on the bicentennial of the Hellenic Republic observed last year.

The release said “Prime Minister Mitsotakis appreciated the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s leadership in the impressive socio-economic development of the country.”

SANAA, 18 March 2022, (TON): The Iran-backed Houthis have dashed hopes of ending the war in Yemen by rejecting the latest Gulf Cooperation Council offer to broker comprehensive peace talks in Riyadh between the warring factions.

Yemeni government officials told that the GCC had offered to sponsor the talks in the Saudi capital to achieve a peace deal. 

Hundreds of Yemeni politicians, activists, civil society leaders, and even outspoken politicians will be invited to the conference, which will begin on March 29 and end on April 7.

But Houthi media quoted an anonymous official as saying the movement rejected holding peace talks in Riyadh and demanded that the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen eased alleged restrictions on Sanaa airport and Hodeidah seaport.

Aid workers and officials have warned that the humanitarian crisis in Yemen is intensifying.

Yemeni officials said they predicted the Houthis would turn down the offer, citing the movement’s track record of derailing peace efforts.