Pakistan mosque blast leads day of South Asia-US security and diplomacy moves
A series of major developments were reported across South Asia and the United States on Friday, led by a suicide blast at a mosque in Pakistan that killed 21 people and injured 78. India and Bhutan also reviewed bilateral ties, while India told the UN Security Council that navigational rights must not face coercion, threats or unlawful restrictions.
Other developments included Microsoft chief Satya Nadella praising the growing links between Seattle's technology community and India, a US House vote on a Russia sanctions bill, and an attack on a Sikh truck driver in Wyoming. Nepal reported progress in flood-related search operations and moved to fill ambassadorial posts, while a Sri Lankan court deferred Namal Rajapaksa's bail hearing and a Singapore chamber outlined plans to deepen engagement with India.
In Pakistan, at least 21 people, mostly policemen, were killed and 78 others were injured in a suicide blast at a mosque during Friday prayers near the police lines in Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said.
In Bhutan, India and Bhutan reviewed all aspects of bilateral ties and commended the progress in development cooperation during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to the country.
At the UN Security Council, India said that "navigational rights must not be subject to coercion, threats, unlawful restrictions or arbitrary interference" and emphasised that maritime insecurity has consequences well beyond the immediate risks.
In the US, Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella praised Seattle's growing technology community and its strengthening relationship with India while addressing leading Indian-origin technology CEOs from sectors including artificial intelligence, quantum computing and enterprise software.
Also in Washington, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi was the only Indian-American lawmaker to vote in favour of the Russia sanctions act in the US House of Representatives, breaking ranks with his Democratic Party.
A Sikh truck driver in south Wyoming was stabbed 17 times in a rest area's bathroom and is recovering. The attack came amid rising anti-South Asian rhetoric in the US.
In Nepal, six bodies were recovered from a tunnel at the Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project on Friday as search operations continued after the flash floods that hit the country last month. The floods have killed more than 1,400 people and left over 6,100 missing.
Nepal's Council of Ministers also recommended ambassadors for 13 countries, including India, China, the US and the UK, to fill several posts that had remained vacant for some time.
In Sri Lanka, a court on Friday deferred the bail hearing of opposition leader Namal Rajapaksa, who is in remand custody in a case involving alleged corruption in the purchase of Airbus aircraft.
In Singapore, the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it planned to strengthen engagement with the Indian government, policymakers and industry as part of its strategic roadmap. Newly appointed chief executive officer Pradeep Menon said the focus would be on boosting cross-border trade, particularly with India's economy.
Overall, the day saw a mix of security, diplomatic, political and business developments, from the deadly blast in Pakistan and flood recovery efforts in Nepal to India-related policy and engagement moves in Bhutan, the UN, the US, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
