Washington, Feb 11 (IANS) The United States called India the anchor of South Asia and the western Indo-Pacific, as the Trump administration outlined an “America first” strategy built on trade deals, defence cooperation, and targeted investment across the region.Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Paul Kapur, in a written testimony submitted before the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, said President Donald Trump’s National Secur…
Latest South Asia News & Updates
Washington, Feb 10 (IANS) The United States and Bangladesh signed a legally binding agreement on reciprocal trade, setting tariff schedules and broad commitments on market access, labor standards, and digital trade, US officials said.US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer signed the pact with Bangladesh’s adviser for commerce, textiles and jute, and civil aviation and tourism, Sheikh Bashir Uddin, at a ceremony in Washington, according to a statement from the USTR’s office.“Under President…
Dubai, Feb 9 (IANS) The International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have concluded an “open, constructive and congenial dialogue”.This dialogue covered several matters, including but not limited to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the broader outlook for cricket in South Asia.While reflecting on the Bangladesh cricket team’s unfortunate absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the global governing body for cricket reaffirmed BCB…
New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) When Bangladesh’s electors exercise their franchise on February 12, they will participate in a process considered one of the most crucial in the country’s history where they will choose not only a new government, but also the future of regional safety, security, and mutual relations. Bangladesh is heading into its 13th national parliamentary election at a critical time. The contest is primarily between two major blocs, one led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), an…
Kochi (Kerala), Feb 9 (IANS) In a significant boost to efforts aimed at restoring a rapidly declining estuarine resource, the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has successfully achieved induced breeding of the mangrove clam (Geloina erosa) under captive conditions.The scientific breakthrough is expected to mark a major milestone in developing community-managed estuarine aquaculture models that are closely integrated with mangrove conservation.Mangrove clams, commonly kno…
Islamabad, Feb 8 (IANS) Pakistan has been ranked last in South Asia’s literacy rating, as per recent data, and its education crisis has become its most severe economic vulnerability, according to a report in the Pakistani media. “A Free and Fair Election Network report shows Pakistan has climbed to a 63 per cent literacy rate, which is a staggering 15 percentage points below the regional average of 78 per cent. In today’s competitive global economy, no nation can hope to thrive with an undereduc…
Islamabad, Feb 7 (IANS) As investigators continue to trace the sequence of events behind the deadly suicide bombing at Islamabad’s Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra, authorities have identified the suspected attacker as a resident of Peshawar who allegedly underwent militant training in Afghanistan, local media reported on Saturday.According to preliminary findings shared by sources associated with the investigation, the attacker, identified as Yasir Khan Yasir, had reportedly stayed in Afghanistan…
New Delhi, Feb 6 (IANS) India strongly condemned the deadly suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad on Friday, expressing condolences for the loss of lives while rejecting Pakistan’s allegations as “baseless” and a deflection from its internal issues. Pakistani authorities quickly pointed fingers at external forces. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi suggested the bomber had links to Afghanistan, without providing evidence. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office echoed similar claims, labe…
New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Services PMI touched a two-month high of 58.5 in the month of January, from December’s 58.0, noting quicker expansions in new business intakes and output, the S&P Global data showed on Wednesday.Service providers in India welcomed a recovery in growth during January. They were also more upbeat towards the outlook and hired additional staff. On the price front, there were quicker albeit still moderate increases in input costs and sell…
London, Feb 3 (IANS) The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) is set to amend the Laws of Cricket by allowing a wider range of bats, a move aimed at easing the financial burden on amateur players as the cost of traditional English willow continues to rise. As part of a new edition of the Laws, due to take effect on October 1 2026, the MCC has introduced an amendment to Law 5.8, titled Categories of bat. The change is one of 73 revisions announced by the game’s lawmakers and will permit the use of lam…