The Ministry of Mines has asked both state-run and private companies to collect and transport rare earth samples from Kachin Independence Army (KIA)-controlled mines in northeastern Myanmar
Despite holding immense renewables potential', clean energy accounts for only 6 per cent of total primary energy supply in the countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayas, with hydropower being hugely underexploited', a report said. A new assessment report was released on Friday by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), an eight-nation regional body, during the Asia-Pacific Clean Energy Week in Bangkok. The report said that out of 882 Gigawatts total hydropower potential identified in Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the vast majority of that potential (635 Gigawatts) is from the waters of the transboundary rivers of the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. Just 49 per cent of this potential is currently tapped, the report added. Non-hydro clean energy potential (solar and wind) in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, meanwhile, stands at 3 Terawatts, it said. While the total combined renewable energy targets of the countries of
India hopes that the forthcoming elections in Myanmar will be held in a fair and inclusive manner involving all stakeholders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the head of Myanmar's military junta, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, on Sunday. Modi met Hlaing on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. The prime minister also conveyed to the Senior General that India supports a "Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned peace process". "The prime minister expressed the hope that the forthcoming elections in Myanmar will be held in a fair and inclusive manner involving all stakeholders," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "He underlined that India supports a Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned peace process, for which peaceful dialogue and consultation is the only way forward," it said in a statement. Modi also noted that India attaches importance to its ties with Myanmar as part of its 'Neighbourhood First', 'Act East' and 'Indo-Pacific' policies. "The
Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, who rarely travels abroad, will also attend, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday
Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh hailed the Assam Rifles for collecting biometrics of those who have been entering India illegally from Myanmar and said the influx of outsiders is "real and ongoing". His comment comes after Assam Rifles Director General Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, while addressing a programme at Manipur University on Wednesday, said that from December 31, 2024, the paramilitary force had "mapped 42,000 people coming here". "It is equally reassuring that these individuals are being kept under close watch, accommodated only at secure locations, and monitored under strict authority," Singh said on X on Wednesday evening. He shared a video clip of the Assam Rifles DG addressing the programme. Quoting Lakhera that "around 42,000 outsiders entered Manipur since December 2024", the former CM said, "I thank Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, DG Assam Rifles, for confirming that biometrics are being collected from illegal entrants crossing the Indo-Myanmar border." He al
With so much happening in the Northeast, more political engagement that is seen to be bipartisan is essential. What remains of 2025 and 2026 promises to be an eventful period for the region
Myanmar is vulnerable to hazards from moderate and large magnitude earthquakes, including tsunami hazards along its long coastline
FATF has recommended enhanced due diligence measures for risks arising from Myanmar, maintaining its status as a high-risk jurisdiction. The RBI has issued the advisory based on FATF's guidelines
As per the NCS, the earthquake happened at a shallow depth of 10km, making it susceptible to aftershocks
Since early April, China has stopped almost all shipments of critical minerals that are needed for cars, robots, wind turbines, jet fighters and other technologies
The Delhi Police deported 71 foreign nationals, including Bangladeshis, Rohingyas from Myanmar, and Nigerians, who were found staying illegally in the country, an official said on Friday. In May alone, 71 such individuals -- 47 from Bangladesh, 17 Rohingyas from Myanmar and seven from Nigeria -- were apprehended by various police units of Dwarka and sent to a detention centre after being produced before the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Different units and police stations, including Uttam Nagar and Chhawla, launched coordinated operations to identify foreign nationals illegally residing in the area. The police said the crackdown was initiated based on a tip-off regarding people overstaying in India without valid visas or having entered the country illegally. These persons were found residing or roaming in different areas of Dwarka district. The largest number of deportations, 38, was made by the Special Staff, followed by 24 by the Uttam Nagar police station. Th
Southeast Asian nations will forge a common front to face challenges including economic headwinds from US tariffs and a four-year civil war in Myanmar, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Monday. Opening an annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Anwar said he is seeking a unified bloc meeting with US President Donald Trump to discuss the tariffs. Officials are hopeful it could happen later this year. Malaysia is the current chair of ASEAN. For ASEAN, our peace, stability and prosperity have often depended on an open, inclusive, rules-based international order... These foundations are now being dismantled under the force of arbitrary action," Anwar said. ASEAN has formed a taskforce to coordinate a response to the U.S. tariffs in parallel with bilateral negotiations by some member countries, Anwar said. ASEAN members include bigger economies such as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, as well as ones like Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos
Ten suspected Rohingya from Myanmar were booked for allegedly living illegally in the Gangaghat area of this Uttar Pradesh district, police said on Friday. Gangaghat SHO Pramod Mishra said the FIR under provisions of the Foreigners Act was registered on the complaint of Balughat Outpost in-charge Gajendra Singh. The Rohingya were living in huts near the Ganga riverbank. The case was registered after they could not provide valid identity documents during interrogation. The dialect they spoke was also found to be different and foreign, the SHO said.
Earlier in March, the country was hit with earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 6.4 that had caused widespread damage and the death of more than 3500
From idyllic tropical beaches and lush jungles to serene mountains and vibrant urban scenes, Thailand's USP lies in being a dynamic blend of affordability, rich cultural heritage
The head of Myanmar's military government granted amnesty to around 4,900 prisoners to mark the country's traditional new year, state-run media reported Thursday, and an independent watchdog said they included at least 22 political detainees. At least 19 buses with prisoners aboard left Yangon's Insein prison and were welcomed outside the gate by excited family members and friends who had been waiting since early morning. The Political Prisoners Network Myanmar, an independent watchdog group that records violations of human rights in Myanmar's prisons, said in a statement that by its initial count, 22 political prisoners had been freed. Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the ruling military council, pardoned 4,893 prisoners, MRTV reported. Thirteen foreigners will also be released and deported from Myanmar, it said in a separate statement. Other prisoners received reduced sentences, except for those convicted of serious charges such as murder and rape, or those jailed on char
As the first responder to the devastating quake on March 28, India has provided over 750 MT of relief material, including medical aid, food, shelters, and essential supplies
In this backdrop, it is an opportune moment to look at the quantum of aid provided by India to different countries
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck on Sunday morning near Meiktila, a small city in central Myanmar, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake came as Myanmar is engaged in relief efforts following a massive 7.7 magnitude temblor that also hit the country's central region on March 28. The epicentre of the latest quake was roughly hallway between Mandalay, Myanmar's second-biggest city, which suffered enormous damage and casualties in last month's earthquake, and Naypyitaw, the capital, where several government offices were then damaged. There were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties caused by the new quake, one of the strongest of hundreds of aftershocks from the March 28 temblor. As of Friday, the death toll from that quake was 3,649, with 5,018 injured, according to Maj Gen Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for Myanmar's military government. Myanmar's Meteorological Department said Sunday's quake occurred in the area of Wundwin township, 97 kilometers (60 miles) so
As part of ongoing outreach efforts following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar, India, under Operation Brahma, extended its support to the Indian diaspora in Myanmar's Yangon region, delivering essentials.According to the Embassy of India in Myanmar, Ambassador of India to Myanmar Abhay Thakur handed over 15 tonnes of rice, cooking oil and food stuff to a community relief group there.Meanwhile, the Consulate General of India in Mandalay provided a genset, water purifier and cooking oil for the Ambika temple kitchen serving 4000 pax daily."Giving a helping hand to our diaspora. This week, Ambassador Abhay Thakur handed over 15 T rice, cooking oil & foodstuff to the community Relief Group in Yangon, and the Consulate General of India in Mandalay gave a genset, water purifier & cooking oil for Ambika temple kitchen serving 4000 pax daily," the Embassy of India in Myanmar stated on X.India has been actively engaged in the relief efforts following the ...