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London — Harjinder Kang has been appointed as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) to South Asia and Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, replacing Alan Gemmell OBE. As the new Trade Commissioner for South Asia, Kang will be responsible for promoting UK trade, investment, trade policy, and export finance while generating business opportunities for the UK. Prior to his promotion to HMTC, Kang was the UK’s Chief Negotiator for the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, and will be succeeded in this role by Kate Thornley, previously Deputy Chief Negotiator.

In his new position, Kang will play a key role in supporting the implementation of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to bring huge opportunities for UK businesses. Before joining the Department for Business and Trade, Kang spent almost 30 years at AstraZeneca, later becoming the Global Commercial Director. He focused on creating affordable solutions for pharmaceutical access in less developed regions and is also a member of the Council of the University of Birmingham.

Kemi Badenoch, the Business and Trade Secretary, welcomed Kang to his new role and expressed confidence in his ability to build on the UK’s outstanding track record on trade in South Asia, expanding opportunities for British businesses in untapped markets. Kang said it was an honour to be appointed as Trade Commissioner for South Asia and Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, both vibrant and growing regions that are pivotal to the UK’s security and prosperity. He is deeply committed to fostering strong relationships between the UK and South Asia and excited about the opportunities ahead as they strengthen their economic ties and forge new partnerships in the region to create jobs, promote innovation, and drive economic growth at home and abroad.

Islamabad— Pakistan’s political parties have failed to reach a consensus over a timeline for national and provincial elections, reported The Diplomat. The Supreme Court had expressed optimism that all major stakeholders would agree on a date to hold the polls, but after the parties’ failure to do so, the court conceded that it couldn’t force them to hold talks.

The root of this chaos is the military establishment’s historical hegemony, which has maintained its dominance by crippling other institutions. Despite opposition parties’ willingness to embrace the military’s unconstitutional manoeuvres, agreeing on an election date would be agreeing to reverse the military-dominated power dynamics of Pakistan.

Continued failure to agree upon a date means that in accordance with the Supreme Court’s earlier order, it would be incumbent on the state to hold the provincial elections on May 14 – at least in theory. The Supreme Court’s ruling comes a year after the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) government was ousted in a no-confidence motion.

Pakistan’s dysfunctional governance over the past seven decades is now culminating in ambiguity over the most fundamental of democratic exercises: holding an election.

NEW DELHI — India’s domestic air traffic numbers hit a record high with 456,082 passengers flying on 2,978 flights across the country on a single day, officials said Tuesday.

The breakthrough surpassing the pre-COVID-19 average was reached on April 30.

India’s domestic air traffic reaches new heights with an all-time high. on April 30, 456,082 passengers on 2,978 flights, according to a statement issued by the federal ministry of civil aviation.

Federal civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia viewed the milestone as synonymous with the country’s growth.

“Post-COVID-19, skyrocketing domestic air passenger numbers are a sign of India’s rising growth and prosperity,” Scindia wrote on social media.

According to ministry figures, the total flight movements on April 30 were 5,947, and the total number of passengers, including departures, was 913,336.

Local media quoted ministry sources as saying that India is likely to cross the half million passenger mark in a single day by November or December this year. (Xinhua)

COLOMBO — Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology on Saturday issued a warning of heavy floods for 12 out of a total of 25 districts in the South Asian country, where heavy rains were reported over the last few days.

The 12 districts are Puttalam, Kurunegala, Kandy, Gampaha, Kegalla, Nuwara Eliya, Colombo, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Galle, Matara and Hambantota.

The department said heavy showers of more than 100 mm will hit the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-Western provinces and the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts.

Heavy showers of about 75 mm are expected in the other above mentioned districts.

Meanwhile, the department also issued an advisory for severe lightning for 18 districts.

The public was asked to take necessary precautions against floods and lightning. (Xinhua)

Kathmandu — Nepal Foreign Minister NP Saud is set to attend the coronation ceremony of King Charles III of Britain on behalf of Nepal after President Ramchandra Paudel was unable to attend due to health reasons. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 6th at London’s Westminster Cathedral, and Saud is expected to depart for London on May 4th and return on May 7th.

The first visit of a Nepalese head of state to Britain in 20 years, which was originally planned for President Paudel. However, after his inability to attend, the government made the decision to send Foreign Minister Saud in his place.

The coronation ceremony will be held in Westminster Abbey, which has been the location for coronation ceremonies since 1066. The ceremony will see the coronation of King Charles III of Britain and the Queen Consort, Camilla, who will wear the crown of Queen Mary.

Nepal has a history of sending representatives to important events in Britain, with the then-foreign minister Narayan Khadka attending the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II last September. The attendance of Foreign Minister Saud at the coronation ceremony signifies the importance of the relationship between Nepal and Britain.