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India's Proximity Archives
South Asia
From May 23-26, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shabaz Sharifand Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir visited China. The visit coincided with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries. President Xi conveyed to Prime Minister Sharif that “regardless of changes in the international arena, China will consistently prioritise the advancement of China-Pakistan relations within its foreign policy towards neighbouring nations”. In a meeting with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Field Marshal Munir provided an update on the ongoing efforts to mediate the U.S.-Iran conflict. The Joint Statement further outlines mutual support for each other’s global perspectives, advancement of CPEC Phase 2, and ongoing collaboration in security and geopolitical domains.
Southeast Asia
On May 26, Philippines’ President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. arrived in Japan for his first four-day State Visit. President Marcos said the visit forms part of the Philippines’ broader foreign policy agenda to forge closer political ties, stronger defence and security cooperation, and more enduring economic partnerships with key regional partners. The visit began with a ceremonial meeting at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, where President Marcos Jr. was received by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. During the state call, Marcos Jr. was conferred the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, while Philippines’ First Lady received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown from the Emperor. In a reciprocal gesture, the Philippines conferred the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Supremo or Grand Collar on Emperor Naruhito, while Empress Masako received the Order of Gabriela Silang. Marcos Jr. is only the third world leader the Emperor has received on a State Visit since his accession to the throne in 2019. On May 28, Marcos Jr. is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae for talks expected to centre on security cooperation and shared concerns over China’s expanding maritime presence. A key item on the agenda is the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), which would establish a legal framework for the secure exchange of sensitive military intelligence and pave the way for closer defence collaboration.
West Asia
On May 25, the U.S. military targeted Iranian missile launch sites and boats attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran condemned the U.S.’ violation of the ceasefire, stressing that striking targets near the contested Strait of Hormuz would complicate efforts to end the war. Meanwhile, the new Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, reaffirmed the message of his predecessor, Late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that the “Zionist regime” (Israel) was approaching the end of its existence and would cease to exist in 15 years. On the other hand, President Trump demanded that Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Qatar, Türkiye, and Jordan join the ‘Abraham Accords’ and normalise/expand relations with Israel as part of any U.S. deal with Iran.
Central Asia
On May 20, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution titled “Peaceful Settlement of Border Disputes”. More than 40 countries co-sponsored the document presented by Kyrgyzstan jointly with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. According to Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Ministry, the main purpose of the resolution is to share with the international community the historic achievement of the three Central Asian countries in resolving border disputes through peaceful means, including dialogue and negotiations, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. The resolution proposes what Kyrgyz officials described as a simple and universal principle: when states face border disputes, the way forward should be peaceful, lawful, and based on dialogue.
Indian Ocean Region
On May 26, the foreign ministers of the United States, Japan, India, and Australia convened in New Delhi for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad). The meeting reaffirms the group’s longstanding “free and open Indo-Pacific” framework and introduces concrete initiatives across four pillars—maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Under the maritime and transnational security pillar, the Quad announced the operationalisation of the Indian Ocean Region programme of the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) through the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram. The countries also unveiled the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration (IPMSC) initiative, aimed at enhancing coordination and real-time maritime information sharing, with an initial focus on the Indian Ocean Region. India will host the next Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission following the inaugural edition conducted from Palau to Guam in 2025
