India
Indian sends 30 ambulances to Bangladesh
A total of 30 ambulances, now in Petrapole, will reach Bangladesh soon.
After clearances at Benapole land custom check post, they will leave for Dhaka soon.
The remaining ambulances are expected to arrive in batches by September end, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Read: Bangladesh shatters its own records; reports 264 single-day Covid deaths
During the state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh on March 26-27, he had announced the gift of 109 Life Support ambulances to the Government of Bangladesh, to further enhance healthcare, especially in the shared effort to contain the Covid-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.
After 41 yrs, Hockey-India win bronze in Tokyo Olympics
Indian men's hockey team scripted history in the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday, defeating Germany 5-4 to bag a bronze medal at the quadrennial sporting extravaganza after nearly 41 years.
The country's last success at the Olympics came in the 1980 Moscow games in Russia, where the men's hockey team got the gold. In the 1968 Mexico games and the 1972 Munich Games too, India bagged the bronze.
Read: Olympic families find solace, create bonds far from Tokyo
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up the winning men's hockey team members in Tokyo and congratulated them for finally breaking the Olympic medal jinx.
"Many, many congratulations to you and the entire team, you have made history. The entire country is filled with joy. Your hard work has paid off. The entire country is happy," Modi was heard saying in a video posted by Indian Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Twitter.
Soon after the match, the PM tweeted, "Historic! A day that will be etched in the memory of every Indian. Congratulations to our Men’s Hockey Team for bringing home the Bronze. With this feat, they have captured the imagination of the entire nation, especially our youth."
Read: At an extraordinary Olympics, acts of kindness abound
Indian President Ramnath Kovind also took to Twitter to laud the Indian men's hockey team for its dominating performance and “exceptional skills, resilience & determination".
“Congratulations to our men’s hockey team for winning an Olympic Medal in hockey after 41 years. The team showed exceptional skills, resilience & determination to win. This historic victory will start a new era in hockey...," he wrote.
In fact, in the match, Germany had taken an early lead with Timur Oruz scoring a goal in the the first quarter. India's Simranjeet Singh soon equalled the scores of the two team.
Read:A pandemic Olympics, without all the crowds: What gets lost?
Germany, however, bounced back with two more goals in the second quarter to lead 3-1. However, the third quarter proved lucky for India. And subsequently, Simranjeet scored his second goal of the match to give India an edge over Germany.
“A billion cheers for India! Boys, you’ve done it ! We can’t keep calm ! #TeamIndia! Our Men’s Hockey Team dominated and defined their destiny in the Olympic history books today, yet again! We are extremely proud of you!" the Sports Minister tweeted.
BGMEA requests India to expedite trade through Bangaon-Benapole land port
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has requested the Indian government to expedite and facilitate Bangladeshi’s export-import trade through Bangaon-Benapole land port.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan wrote a letter to Indian High Commission in Dhaka Vikram Kumar Doraiswami on Wednesday in this regard.
"We earnestly request you to kindly take up the issue with concerned authorities of your country and resolve the problem at your earliest to expedite the bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh, which is extremely important for our RMG sector," the letter reads.
Faruque said Bangladeshi’s apparel exporters are importing substantial volume of raw materials from India and the transit time from India to Bangladesh is critical.
Also read: BGMEA urges buyers not to penalise suppliers for lockdown-caused delays
Recently, he said, they are facing lots of delays in transit of imported goods from India.
"We are hearing from the Forwarders and Clearing agents in Benapole that the scrutiny/security measures and lack of manpower for export of goods at Indian customs point particularly Bangaon are facing long delays and the transit time is getting very long for the trucks to cross the Bangaon-Benapole boarder," he said.
Due to this, Faruque said, many trucks laden import & export goods are stuck at Indian points which is hampering import & export business with India and impacting the transit time of raw materials for RMG factories in Bangladesh.
"We have confidence that you can use your good office to solve this problem at Indian Customs point to expedite the smooth flow of goods from India, and thereby further facilitate the bilateral trade growth," the BGMEA president wrote.
The global trade is facing very tough time due to corona pandemic, the entire supply chain of RMG sector is working on a very tight Time & Action (T&A) Calendar, the BGMEA chief said.
Also read: BGMEA donates high flow nasal cannulas to DNCC Covid-19 Hospital
The export trade of Bangladesh’s ready-made garments is also facing same problem, he said.
Local entrepreneurs have been trying their utmost to turn around from this situation with the help of the government and all the players involved in supply chain operation.
The BGMEA chief said RMG sector of Bangladesh is facing challenge to meet up the lead time given by foreign buyers to export apparels in the middle of pandemic and locked down situation.
"Foreign buyers are insisting on shortest possible lead time and deadline to export the manufactured apparels. Due to shortest possible T&A, Bangladesh manufacture depends on shortest possible production time and transit time from the raw material supplying entities countries," he said.
Bangladesh, India planning limited flight operation
Bangladesh and India are examining the feasibility of resuming flight operation between the two countries on a very limited scale as the Covid-19 situation is gradually improving in India.
An inter-ministerial meeting was held on Wednesday as there was a request from India to examine the situation on the ground for the resumption of limited flight operation.
Talking to UNB, Mashfee Binte Shams, Secretary (East) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said very limited flights will be operated initially -- like one or two flights a week -- if the final decision is taken by both sides.
Read: Bangladesh, India start freight train services on Haldibari-Chilahati route
"Gradually, the frequency of flights can be increased," she said, adding that the same restrictions like along the border will be imposed and the same categories of people will be allowed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will look into the summary of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh based on the inter-ministerial meeting and it will be forwarded to Indian authorities.
World's highest motorable road is now in India
Believe it not, the world's highest motorable road is now in India.
The Army's Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed the road at an altitude of 19,300 feet at Umlingla Pass in the cold desert region of Ladakh, the Indian government announced on Wednesday.
"The 52-km long tarmac road through Umlingla Pass beats the previous record of a road in South America's Bolivia connecting to its volcano Uturuncu at 18,953 feet," it said, adding that it will help promote tourism in the federal government-controlled territory of Ladakh.
Read: Bangladesh, India start freight train services on Haldibari-Chilahati route
The road has been constructed at an altitude higher than the Mt Everest Base Camps as the South Base Camp in Nepal is at an altitude of 17,598 feet, while the North Base Camp in Tibet is at 16,900 feet, according to the government.
It is much above the altitude of the Siachen Glacier in the Himalayas. At 17,700 feet, the Siachen Glacier is touted as the highest battleground on Earth, where arch-rivals India and Pakistan have fought intermittently since 1984.
Read: India, China establish sixth hotline between ground commanders along LAC
Infrastructure development in such harsh and tough terrain in Ladakh is extremely challenging. During winter, the temperature dips to minus 40 degrees and the oxygen level is almost 50 per cent less than at normal places.
"The Border Roads Organisation or BRO achieved the feat due to the grit and resilience of its personnel who work in treacherous terrain and extreme weather conditions," the Indian government said.
India assumes rotating presidency of UN Security Council
Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday India looks forward to "working productively" with other members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as the country takes over the presidency of the 15-nation UN body.
Asian News International (ANI) quoted Jaishankar as saying that India will always be a voice of moderation, an advocate of dialogue and a proponent of international law.
Read:UNSC: Dhaka extends support to Tokyo's bid for permanent seat
"As we take over UNSC Presidency for August, look forward to working productively with other members. India will always be a voice of moderation, an advocate of dialogue and a proponent of international law," Jaishankar tweeted.
India on Sunday assumed the rotating presidency of the UNSC and is set to host signature events related to maritime security, peacekeeping and counterterrorism during the month. India took over the presidency from France.
Ambassador of India to United Nations, TS Tirumurti, thanked France Permanent Representative to the UN, Nicolas de Riviere, for steering the UN Security Council for the month of July.
This is India's first presidency in the UNSC during its 2021-22 tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC. The two-year tenure of India as a non-permanent member of the UNSC began on 1st January, 2021.
India's fourth Oxygen Express arrives with 200 MT of medical oxygen
Indian Railways’ fourth Oxygen Express arrived in Bangladesh carrying 200 MT of liquid medical oxygen on Sunday.
The special train set out from India’s Tatanagar at 7am carrying 10 containers of liquid oxygen. It reached Bangladesh through around 2:30 pm through Benapole land port, said Benapole immigration authority.
Three other Oxygen Express trains delivered 600 MT of liquid oxygen to Bangladesh on July 24, 28 and 30.
READ: Another Oxygen Express to arrive in Bangladesh
After customs formalities the train set out for Shirajganj’s west side of Bangabandhu Railway Bridge where the container will be unloaded, said Saiduzzaman, Benapole Railway station master.
Revenue officer of the Benapole customs house Saidur Rahman said the Inidan train carrying medical oxygen was immediately released from the rail station after completing official formalities.
Linde Bangladesh is the importer of the medical oxygen exported by Linde India.
On April 24, this year he state-owned Indian Railways started operating the special oxygen trains service to supply liquid oxygen in 480 states across the country.
READ: India's Oxygen Express arrives in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is the first foreign country where the Oxygen Express has been put into operation to deliver the life-saving gas amid rising Covid infections.
Bangladesh, India start freight train services on Haldibari-Chilahati route
Bangladesh and India on Sunday started regular operation of freight trains through restored Haldibari-Chilahati rail route, aiming to "strengthen rail connectivity and bilateral trade" between the two countries.
It will also enhance rail network accessibility to the main ports and dry ports to support the growth in regional trade and to encourage economic and social development of the region, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Sunday.
Read:After 56 yrs, Bangladesh-India rail link to reopen Sunday
The Haldibari- Chilahati rail link is the fifth rail link between Bangladesh and India that has been made operational.
The commodities that can be exported from India to Bangladesh through this rail route include stones and boulders, food grain, fresh fruits, chemical fertilizer, onion, chilies, garlic, ginger, fly ash, clay, limestone and wood.
From Bangladesh to India all exportable commodities are permitted.
Indian Railways dispatched the first freight train loaded with stones from Damdim station of Northeast Frontier Railway to Bangladesh.
After the partition in 1947, 7 rail links were operational between India and the then East Pakistan (up to 1965).
Read:BR Masterplan: Riding train to a prosperous future?
Pakistan, India and the US: The three losers in Afghanistan ?
Afghanistan is a mess and it's spreading fast as the US retreats after two decades of muscle flexing. But two decades ago the US was the top super power, a past tense. Worse, Russia didn’t wither away after socialism died and China has grown and grown. Even the Taliban, the reason cited for the US presence in Afg didn’t vanish and are about to take over. However, the US is not alone in looking lost. Please add India and Pakistan to the list.
Pakistan is so desperate that it’s PM Imran Khan is speaking for peace. He wants a “government of understanding “including the Taliban in Afghanistan. Khan is known as a Pak military sponsored PM but his love for peace is being caused by the army’s own realization that running Imran Khan is probably easier than running Pakistan not to mention its tense borders with Afg while managing China.
In case of an Afghan civil war border crossing begins, most will cross into Pakistan. It was fun playing cards in Afg and hoping to produce anti-Indian militants there but China and Russia won’t be so tolerant about Pakistan. It supports the Taliban and hopes that China will go easy on its failure to manage the Chinese killing militants in Balochistan and its huge debts which the Chinese have refused to go easy on.
READ: Far too many farewells Samad bhai
India’s situation is not that bad but it isn’t sure what it is. India is with the US , the Ghani government’s only ally but for both, time is running out. India is hoping that a UN force will arrive and save Kabul. Meanwhile much hope is on the multi- billion dollar arms supply including aircrafts to Ghani hoping it will turn the Taliban tide.
But what it really wants is a link with the Taliban to prevent anti-Indian militancy support. India had to toe the US line and that has meant no hand shaking with the Taliban. They had been keen to have India as an ally as it isn’t fond of Pakistan. But India kept rebuffing the moves and made no contacts until the US started departing and the Taliban advance began. And now the Taliban are angry with the Indians and said that India can’t expect friendship while supplying arms to Ghani’s Kabul. Now, it has to wait and see what happens next and what the Sino-Ruso alliance decides in response to US actions.
READ: China's version of the War on Coaching
Everyone is playing their own games and for India and Pakistan it’s each other that matters. The world has moved on but these two ancient enemies are metaphorically speaking stuck in the Battle of Panipat in the 15th century or whatever. The last two of the “political states” in South Asia, they have not prepared for the future and Afghanistan may come as a rude shock that its old fashioned policy of “We hate our neighbor” is over. China and Russia’s alliance should be a good lesson for all erstwhile enemies on mending fences and become stronger.
READ: Fakir Alamgir : When the song ends
10 Bangladeshis who illegally entered India, return via Benapole
Indian authorities on Thursday night sent back as many as 10 Bangladeshi nationals, who had illegally entered the neighbouring country because of economic opportunity.
The seven men and three women were handed over to the Benapole immigration police by India’s Petrapole immigration authorities at the Benapole land border.
The 10 people have been identified as Roksana, Mahmuda, Golap Mia, Sakib Hossain, Russel Mia, Ayesha, Nayeem, Khokon, Sagor and Saju, belonging to Khulna, Narail and Narsingdi districts.
Two NGOs -- Rights Jashore and Justice and Care -- later took the 10 men and women to their shelters.
Also read: Benapole: BGB on high alert to prevent rawhide smuggling
“The victims went to India’s Bengaluru city illegally with the help of brokers in the hope of finding well-paid jobs. Later they all were arrested by police and sentenced to three years in jail by Indian courts," said Towfiq, field officer of Rights Jashore.
"An Indian NGO later kept them in their shelters after bailing them out. The victims were issued travel permits, following exchange of letters at both the country’s Home Ministry level," he said.
Officer-in-Charge of Benapole immigration check post, Ahsan Habib said that the 10 Bangladeshis would need to spend 14 days in institutional quarantine. "After the mandatory isolation period, they will be handed over to their families."
Also read: Two Bangladeshi women trafficked to India returns via Benapole