Indonesia also signs an agreement for Indian BrahMos missiles

Today’s headlines: Pakistan wants to impose Islamic finance on all national banks; Since 2021, 80 per cent of drug rehabilitation centres in Afghanistan have closed; Chinese missile test in the Pacific; Hamas announces the dissolution of its government; Hiroshima invites the family of an Iranian girl from the Minab school to this year’s commemorations.

INDIA – INDONESIA

India will supply Indonesia with the BrahMos cruise missile system and the Astra air-to-air missile, an Indian government official said on Tuesday. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently visiting the Southeast Asian country for the first time since 2023. BrahMos, an Indo-Russian joint venture, has already sold its missiles to Vietnam and the Philippines. The two countries have also signed memoranda of understanding to strengthen supply chains for steel and rare earths and to promote the development of the agricultural sector.

PAKISTAN

The Pakistani government has decided to require local banks, from 2028 onwards, to operate in accordance with a model that is fully compliant with Sharia, Islamic law, which, amongst other things, prohibits the payment of interest. However, the government plans to allow foreign-owned banks to continue offering both conventional and Islamic banking services, a distinction which, according to industry experts, could create a situation of inequality.

AFGHANISTAN

According to the latest United Nations report on the global spread of drugs, in Afghanistan around 80 per cent of drug treatment centres have closed since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, due to funding cuts which have left the facilities without medicines, diagnostic services or staff. Before the collapse of the previous government, Afghanistan had 92 drug addiction treatment centres, nine of which were dedicated to women and children.

CHINA – PACIFIC

Yesterday, China tested the launch of a long-range missile into the Pacific Ocean, just hours after Australia signed a new defence pact with Fiji. Beijing described the test as “part of the routine annual military programme”, whilst Canberra accused China of “destabilising” the region. However, China had informed Australia of its plans to conduct the missile test just a few hours before the launch, Defence Minister Richard Marles said.

ISRAEL – GAZA

Hamas has announced the dissolution of its governing body, paving the way for a technocratic committee to establish a civilian government. This marks a significant change for Hamas, which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007, and represents a concession by the group to advance negotiations and the work of the Board of Peace, chaired by diplomat Nickolay Mladenov.

JAPAN – IRAN

A relative of one of the 168 Iranian girls killed in the Israeli-American bombing of the school in Minab on 28 February has been invited to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony to be held in August. For over twenty years, Moct, an independent non-profit organisation, has been inviting Iranians affected by the chemical weapons used during the Iran-Iraq War to the ceremony. The organisation’s president, Shizuko Tsuya, has stated that 14 Iranians will attend this year’s commemorative event.

RUSSIA

In Kazakhstan, the debate over foreign funding for non-governmental organisations has reignited: MPs from the People’s Party are proposing greater scrutiny of NGOs, arguing that foreign funding could be used to interfere in the country’s internal affairs. Civil society representatives and human rights activists describe these allegations as unfounded and warn of the risk of increased pressure on independent organisations.

KAZAKHSTAN

In Kazakhstan, the debate over foreign funding for non-governmental organisations has reignited: MPs from the People’s Party are calling for greater scrutiny of NGOs, arguing that foreign funding could be used to interfere in the country’s internal affairs. Representatives of civil society and human rights activists dismiss these allegations as unfounded and warn of the risk of increased pressure on independent organisations.