Domestic Politics
Following Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa meeting with the United Nations' resident coordinator in Colombo, Rajapaksa stated that people still missing from Sri Lanka’s 26-year civil year will be formally declared dead and death certificates will be issued. The Office of Missing Persons has been investigating 23,586 cases, including 5,000 security forces. [Al Jazeera]
A Pakistani Court sentenced 86 members of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYRA) party to 55-year prison terms for participating in violent protests against the acquittal of Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman on death row for having allegedly committed blasphemy in 2009. [Al Jazeera]
The Supreme Court of India refused to stay the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The Court was hearing a batch of 143 pleas and has granted the Centre four weeks to reply on the matter. The Court restrained all high courts from hearing pleas related to CAA until it comes to a decision on the petitions, and also hinted at setting up a five-judge Constitution bench to hear the matter. [The Indian Express]
International Relations
During a meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, US President Donald Trump said that the US was monitoring developments between India and Pakistan over Kashmir ‘very closely’ and was prepared to help if necessary. [Reuters]
Talibani and American negotiators discussed the signing of a peace deal during their meeting in Doha. If the Taliban agrees to a deal, it will implement a 10-day ceasefire with US, troops and hold discussions with Afghan government officials. [Reuters]
India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. They discussed strengthening military ties and widening maritime links by setting up a maritime research coordination centre. The moves are to counter Chinese influence in the region as China has been building ports, expressways and upgrading airports in the Maldives and Sri Lanka. [Al Jazeera]
Environment
The Maldives' Foreign Minister, Abdulla Shahid, said that the country may lose all of its islands unless it can urgently access financing to combat the impact of climate change. The Maldives is one of the world’s lowest-lying countries–80% of its land is less than one meter above sea levels. This makes around 530,000 people extremely vulnerable to sea swells, storm surges, and other severe climatic conditions. [Reuters]
Economy
Pakistan’s Economic Coordination Council approved the import of 300,000 tonnes of wheat to relieve a shortage of flour supplies. From late 2018 to June 2019, Pakistan exported more than 600,000 metric tonnes of wheat. The government banned wheat exports in July last year. [Reuters]
Image Source: The Statesman