Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Thimphu marks a new chapter in Indo-Chinese strategic competition. New Delhi has announced a 40 billion rupee credit line and inaugurated the Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric power station, intended to strengthen energy interdependence between the two countries. India's moves come as China intensifies border negotiations with Bhutan, in a process that could redefine highly sensitive areas such as the Doklam, Pasamlung and Jakarlung plateaus.
A local association conducted a survey among ministers of religion on their attention to ecological issues: almost all expressed strong concerns about behaviours that 32.1% attribute to the weakening of moral and religious values. A pilot training project on these issues for imams and madrasas is in the works.
A meeting in Beijing between senior officials from the two foreign ministries failed to solve the heated dispute. The number of tourist cancellations over the weekend reaches early COVID-19 levels. Beijing is also putting pressure on Chinese students, who, faced with visa difficulties in the United States, increasingly opted for Japanese universities.
Following the UN Security Council's approval of the Gaza plan, Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman travelled to the United States for the first time since the Khashoggi murder. At the centre of his talks with Trump are multi-billion dollar defence, technology, and artificial intelligence deals, including the sale of F-35s, previously reserved exclusively for Israel. Riyadh is playing a central role in regional dynamics without formally joining the Abraham Accords.
The diplomatic mission will be operational by the first quarter of next year, to consolidate the growth reported at the start of the 2025 with the Lunar New Year. The People's Republic is currently Sri Lanka’s fifth-largest source country for visitors. The government has set an ambitious target of three million arrivals this year to boost this sector of the economy.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption has arrested two men and one woman on charges of sharing messages urging people to boycott or invalidate their votes in the upcoming legislative elections on 7 December, the second to be held under the ‘patriotic only’ electoral system imposed by Beijing. While 35 MPs will not seek re-election, the government has stepped up activities in the city to increase turnout after the collapse in turnout in 2021.
