Bhutan and Nepal have taken the first and second spots as the most peaceful countries in South Asia, according to the latest Global Peace Index (GPI).

The study, conducted by the Australia and US-based Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), has ranked Nepal in the 80th place after Bhutan among the 158 nations it took into account.

While India figures much behind, in the 142nd position, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan have been ranked 103rd, 91st and 149th among the countries respectively.

The GPI, released late on Tuesday, shows Bhutan tops in South Asia with the 19th position, while China has slid in the peace index, standing 89^th, against the 80th position last year.

According to the report, deaths related to internal conflict, displaced people, weapons export, heavy weapons, armed service personnel, death from external conflict, weapon imports and jailed population have declined in Nepal.

It also claimed that the world was more peaceful in 2011 as powerful nations had austerity-driven defense cuts.

The Asia Pacific region is the fourth most peaceful region in the world as its overall GPI score improved remarkably last year.

The survey studied 23 indicators across 158 countries, ranging from measures of civil unrest and crime to military spending, involvement in armed conflict and relations with neighbors. Aside from the deterioration in the Middle East, every other region in the world showed at least some improvement.

In Asia, despite worries over a growing arms race and geopolitical rivalry between China and the United States, the overall defense spending appeared roughly flat and conflict slightly down.

Courtesy : The Kathmandu Post

A 12-member delegation of Buddhist Monks from Bhutan, who are on a week-long visit to Pakistan, Wednesday called on Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan.

The delegation was led by Kunzang Wangdi, Chief Monk of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan.

Bap Kesang Ambassador of Bhutan to Pakistan, resident in Dhaka, and his spouse were also part of the delegation, reports The Nation from Pakistan.

The report said, Minister of State expressed his satisfaction over the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bhutan and highlighted the historical links that date back centuries.  He recalled the meeting between Prime Minister Gilani with Jigmi Y Thinley when the latter visited Islamabad in March 2011.

The Minister emphasized the need to further deepen people-to-people contacts, adding that to promote interfaith harmony, such visit would be welcomed by Pakistan in the future as well, added the report.

To mark the occasion, the Minister presented a replica of “Fasting Buddha” to the visitors.

It further said that the delegation will be visiting different sites of spiritual and religious significance for Buddhism in Mardan and Swat. The delegation will also visit Taxila and Lahore museums, home to historical origins of Buddhism.

Meanwhile, Kunzang Wangdi thanked the Government of Pakistan for the hospitality extended to the delegation and praised the warmth they received from the people of Pakistan.

He expressed his admiration for Pakistan to have preserved the historical Buddhist sites and for promoting visit of this nature from abroad, according to the report.

The Deputy High Commissioner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), T. Alexander, visited Jhapa based Beldangi-II refugee camp, Wednesday.

Alexander, who is in his four-day visit to Nepal since yesterday, met representatives of both refugee and host community, Beldangi Camp Secretary Dhan Bir Subba informed.

“He inquired about the existing relationship between the two communities,” Subba told Bhutan News Service. “However, due to lack of time, we couldn’t convey him our problems in details.”

Meanwhile, mediapersons have expressed their deep concerns for not entertaining them during the joint discussion. However, the visiting Commissioner responded to media queries after the discussion.

Talking to mediapersons after the discussion, Alexander mentioned that his agency has lacked clear-cut policy on exiled Bhutanese who want to repatriate by not opting the ongoing third country resettlement program.

However, he said, the agency was equally concerned about the refugees’ desires to return home with dignity and honor.

Various locals and refugee groups have also submitted their petitions to the Deputy Commissioner, added Subba.